®l|^  S.  H.  BtU  iCtbrara 


2^nrtb  (Earaltna  ^tatf  CTolUaf 

'     QK495 


54^r«_ 


158801 

This  book  may  be  kept  out  TWO  WEEKS 
ONLY,  and  is  subject  to  a  fine  of  FIVE 
CENTS  a  day  thereafter.  It  is  due  on  the 
day  indicated  below: 


50M— May-54 — Form 


The  Pink  Moccasin-Flower.     {Cypripedium  acaulc.) 
One  true-born  blossom,  native  to  our  skies. 

We  dare  not  claim  as  kin. 
Nor  frankly  seek ,  for  all  that  in  it  lies. 
The  Indian's  moccasin." 

Elaine  Goodale. 


'/  enter  a  swamp  as  a  sacred  place." — Thoreau 


BOG-TROTTING 

FOR  ^^^^^^^^= 

ORCHIDS 

By  GRACE  GREYLOCH  NILES 


With 

Illustrations 

from 

J\[ature 


G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 
New  York  and  London 

Zbc  lknicf?erbocher  press 

I904 


Copyright,  1904 

BY 

GRACE  GREYLOCK  NILES 


Published,   April,    1904 


Zbe  ftnfcltecbocber  press,  'Rew  l^orlt 


TO 

GENEVIEVE  FARNELIv 

IN   GRATEFUIv   APPRECIATION 

OF 

HER  AID  AND   ENCOURAGEMENT 


158891 


Preface 

DURING  many  seasons  spent  in  the  Hoosac 
Valley,  it  has  been  a  source  of  great  pleas- 
ure to  me  to  trace  mountain  streams  through 
moss-grown  ravines  to  their  beginnings, 
and  to  explore  the  almost  inaccessible  recesses  of  the 
sphagnous  boglands.  I  have  found  it  a  delight  to 
study  the  orchids,  ferns,  and  various  flowers  sheltered 
in  their  homes,  far  removed  from  the  roadside.  I  sel- 
dom follow  any  well-worn  forest  paths,  for  I  have 
observed  that  the  rarer  plants  do  not  dwell  where  the 
foot  of  man  or  the  grazing  herds  have  wandered.  So 
it  happens  that  the  walks  described  in  these  pages 
lead  mostly  across  lots,  over  hills  and  mountains,  and 
through  swamps. 

The  Hoosac  Valley  lies  in  the  heart  of  the  irregular 
Taconic  Mountains,  and  extends  over  the  southwest- 
ern part  of  Bennington  County,  Vermont,  and  the 
northwestern  part  of  Berkshire  County,  Massachu- 
setts. This  region  has  a  soil  pecuharly  adapted  to  the 
origin  and  growth  of  orchids.  Here  along  the  numer- 
ous streams  and  in  the  little  vales  are  many  unfathom- 
able peat  and  marl  beds  which  are  veritable  orchid 
gardens.  The  valley  seems  to  be  the  common  ground 
where  rare  plants  from  the  North  and  South,  as  well 


vi  Preface 

as  the  migrating  species  from  the  East  and  West,  meet 
and  overlap  each  other. 

Many  people  are  accustomed  to  think  of  the  orchid 
as  a  tropical  flower  which  grows  in  our  country  only  in 
cultivation  and  under  highly  artificial  conditions.  It 
is,  however,  true  that  many  of  the  most  attractive 
species  of  this  beautiful  group  are  endemic  to  most 
parts  of  the  United  States.  There  are  to-day,  accord- 
ing to  conservative  reports,  from  twenty-seven  to 
thirty  genera  and  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  one 
hundred  and  sixty  species  of  native  orchids  found  in 
North  America,  north  of  Mexico.  Most  of  these  are 
terrestrial  or  earth-loving.  There  are  eleven  epiphytes, 
all  of  which  are  found  only  in  the  Southern  States. 
The  range  of  the  North  American  orchids  extends 
wherever  sunshine  and  moisture  prevail,  nearly  as  far 
north  as  the  Arctic  Circle.  Four  Cypripediums  grow 
between  latitudes  54°  and  64°,  and  from  fifteen  to 
eighteen  species  of  the  Orchid  Family  are  natives  of 
Alaska. 

The  North  Atlantic  region,  covering  northeastern 
United  States  and  Canada,  produces  seventy-one 
species  of  Orchidaceae;  of  these  from  forty-eight  to 
fifty-six  are  reported  for  New  England,  and  from  forty 
to  forty-two  are  found  in  the  Hoosac  Valley.  Of  the 
seventy-one  North  Atlantic  orchids  only  fifteen  or 
sixteen  have  not  been  found  within  Vermont.  The 
most  widely-known  genus — Cypripedium,  or  Mocassin- 
Flower — is  represented  by  thirteen  species  on  the 
North  American  continent.     This  includes  the  single 


Preface  vii 

Mexican  species.  Six  of  this  number  have  been 
collected  iu  Connecticut,  and  five  grow  in  the  Hoosac 
Valley. 

The  excursions  which  I  have  recorded  in  this  book 
were  made  particularly  in  search  of  orchids  ;  but  I 
have  collected  and  observed  all  other  flowers  of  interest 
which  grow  in  the  region  which  I  have  traversed,  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  the  natural  environments  of 
orchids,  and  introducing  their  near  neighbors  of 
swamp,  forest,  and  rocky  pasture-land. 

G.  G.  N. 

WiniAMSTowN,  Massachusetts. 


Contents 

First  Season 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  Off  to  the  Hii,i,s  of  Berkshire  and 

Bennington 3 

II.  Bali,  Brook  and  the  Bogs  of  Etch- 

OWOG 15 

III.  The  Haunts  of  the  Ram's-Head  Moc- 

casin-Flowers       39 

IV.  The  Stolen  Moccasins  ....      44 

V.   The  Queen  op  the  Indian  Moccasin- 
Flowers        55 

VI.  Hail  Storms  at  Etchowog   ...      72 

VII.  Sweet  Pogonias  and  Limodorums        .      83 

VIII.  A  Colony  of  Ram's-Heads  in  Witch 

Hollow 95 

IX.  Over  the  Huckleberry  Plains   .        .115 

Second  Season 

X.  Westville  Swamps  and  Mount  Car- 

MEL,  Connecticut        .        .        ,        -125 

XI.  May  vShowers  and  White  Moccasin- 
Flowers         137 

XII.  Saucy  Jays  and  Polyporks    .        .         .149 


X  Contents 

Third  Season 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

XIII.  The  Swamps  and  Hills  of  Mosholu 

AND  LOWERRE,  NEW  YoRK  .  -157 

XIV.  The    Swamp    of  Oracles  —  Hoosac 

Valley 167 

XV.  White  Oaks  and  Gregor  Rocks       .     183 

XVI.  Alpine  Blossoms  of  the  Dome  .        .     201 

XVII.  The  Cascade  and  Bellows  -  Pipe, 
Notch  Valley,  Berkshire  County, 
Massachusetts 212 

XVIII.  The  Natural  Bridge  of  Mayunsook 

Valley,  Northern  Berkshire        .    224 

XIX.  Orange  Mountains,  and  Salt  Mead- 
ows, New  Jersey       ....    231 

Appendix— New  England  Orchids         .        .     239 
Index 285 


Illustrations 

The  photographs  in  this  list  marked  thus  *  were  taken  by 
Miss  Katherine  Lewers,  the  others  by  the  author.  The  color- 
ing is  the  work  of  the  author.  Of  the  fifteen  genera  of  Or- 
chidacece  in  New  England,  all  save  Listera,  Tipularia,  and 
Apledrum  are  represented  in  these  illustrations. 

PAGE 

The  Pink  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripedium  acaule)  * 

Colored  Frontispiece 

The  I/arge  Yellow   Moccasin-Flower  (Cypripedium  hir- 

sutum)  * 4 

Colored 
The  Botanizing  Can,  or  Vasculum,  Showing  the  White- 

Petaled  Lady's  Slipper  and  Maiden-Hair  Fern  *  .        8 

Mount  Greylock's  Brotherhood— the  Berkshire  Highlands, 

from    Mount    CEta,    Bennington    County,   Vermont, 

Showing  the  College  Town  of  Williamstown  in  the 

Valley  * lo 

The  Western  Gateway  of  Hoosac  Mountain,  the  Entrance 

to  Hoosac  Tunnel,  North  Adams,  Massachusetts         .       14 
Source  of  photograph  unknown. 
Ball  Brook,  in  the  Swamp  of  Oracles,  Pownal,  Vermont  *       18 
The  Showy  Lady's  Slipper — the  Queen   of  the  Indian 

Moccasin-Flowers  {Cypripedium  reg-inc?)*  .        .        .       24 
Colored 

The  Fleur-de-L,is  {Iris  versicolor)  * 28 

The  Fountain  of  Arethusa,  near  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog, 

Pownal,  Vermont 30 

Round-Leaved  Sundew  {Drosera  rotundifolid)  ...       32 
The  Carnivorous  Plants,  commonly  called  Pitcher  Plants, 

and  Dumb  Watches  {Sarracenia  purpurea)  .        .        ,       34 
The  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  Showing  the  Dome  in  the  Distance, 

Pownal,  Vermont* 36 


xii  Illustrations 


PAG  I 


The  Ram's-Head  Lady's  Slipper  {Cypripediunt  arietinuni)      42 
The  Piuk  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripediuni  acaule)  *   .        .48 
This  is  the    only    two-leaved    Cypripedium 

found  in  the  Atlantic  region. 
Colored 
The  Tall  White  Northern  Orchis  {Habenaria  dilatata), 
near  Arethusa's  Spring,  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  Pownal, 

Vermont 52 

Colored 
The  Showy  Orchis  {Orchis  spedabilis)        ....       56 
The  first  orchid  of  the  spring,  found  near  the 
rocky  borders  of  the  Thompson  Brook, 
East  Pownal,  Vermont. 
Colored 
The  Small  Yellow  Fragrant  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripe- 
dium parvifloruni)  * 60 

Colored 
The  Small  White  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripedium  candi- 

dujn) 62 

Colored 
The  Queen  of  the  Indian  Moccasin-Flowers  {Cypripedium 

regincB),  from  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  Pownal,  Vermont  68 
The  Small  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  {Habenaria  psycodes)  .  72 
The  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  {Cypripedium  regince)*    .        .      78 

Colored 
The  Northern  Gap,   Showing  the  Taconic  Mountains  of 
Bennington    County,    from    Mount    CEta,    Vermont. 
The  Bennington  Battle  Monument  towers  to  the  left 

in  the  Distance* 86 

The  Rose  Pogonia  {Pogonia  ophioglossoides)      ...      88 

Colored 
The  Thompson  Brook,  East  Pownal,  Vermont  ...       90 
The  Grass  Pink  {Limodorum  tuberosum)   ....       92 
This  is   a   strange,    beautiful   orchid   with  a 

straight  seed-pod  (ovary). 
Colored 
The  Perry  Elm,  Marking  the  Site  of  Fort  Massachusetts, 
on  the  Harrison's  Flats,  North  Adams,  Massachusetts, 
Showing  Saddleback  Mountain  in  the  Distance  .         .       96 


Illustrations 


Xlll 


PAGE 

The  Small  Round-Leaved    Orchis    {Habcnaria   Hooker- 

iana)  * loo 

Color'cd 
The  Show  J  Orchis  {Orchis  spcciadilis)  *      ....     104 
Showing  the  plant  nearly  natural  size. 
Colored 
The  Large  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  {Habcnaria _!^randiJlora)     no 
From  lithograph  in  Meehan's  Native  Flow- 
ers  and   Ferns   of   the    United   Stales, 
I  :  1878.     By  permission. 
Colored 
The    Blackberry    Blossoms   from   Mount   CEta,    Pownal, 

Vermont* 112 

The  Yellow  Clintonia  (Clinlonia   borealis).    Rattlesnake 

Brook  Swamp,  Mount  CBta,  Pownal,  Vermont     ,         .116 

"  White,  innocent  twigs  of  apple  "  * 126 

The    Woodman's    Road    through     Rattlesnake    Swamp, 

Mount  CEta,  Pownal,  Vermont 134 

The  Beautiful  Arethusa  {Arethiisa  bulbosa)        .        .        .     144 

Colored 
The  Rattlesnake  Plantain  (Peramium),  a  Group  of  Three 

Species  Collected  on  Rattlesnake  Ledge,  Mount  CEta, 

Pownal,  Vermont 150 

The  Snowy  Dogwood  Blossoms,  from  the  Hills  of  Mosh- 

olu,  New  York* 158 

I.  Indian  Pipes  {Mo7iotropa  imijlora) ;  2,  Pine-Sap  {3fono- 

tropa  Hypopitys) 164 

The  Snow- Plant  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  {Sarcodes 

sanguittea)* 166 

Motherless  Baby  Whippoorwills* 176 

A  Colony  of  the  Small  Yellow  Fragrant  Moccasin-Flower 

{Cypripediuin  parvijloricin)  in  the  Glen   of  Comus, 

District  Fourteen,  Pownal,  Vermont*  .         .         .     178 

Colored 
The  Mountain  Laurel  (Kalmia  latifolia)     ....     184 
The  Gregor  Rocks,  Hoosac  Valley,  from  Pownal  Centre 

Road,  Vermont* 188 


xiv  Illustrations 

PAGB 

The  Pot-Hole  of  Wash-Tub  Brook,   Pownal,    Vermont, 

Showing  the  Stream  Whirling  through  its  Basin         .     190 

An  Ancient  Pot-Hole,  Showing  an  Erstwhile  Revolving 
Stone,  Located  on  the  Granite  Ridge,  near  the  Wolf's 
Den,  Bronx  Park,  New  York  City*      ....     194 

The  Bluebells  of  New  England  {Campanula  rotundifolia)  *     196 

Three  Rare  Ferns  from  Gregor  Rocks  and  Wash-Tub 
Brook  Region,  Pownal,  Vermont:  i.  Rue-in-the-Wall 
Spleenwort  {Asplenium  Ricta-muraria) ;  2.  Purple- 
Stemmed  ClifF-Brake  {Pellcea  atropurpurea) ;  3.  Walk- 
ing Fern  {(r<2;«/»^<?5on«  yAz>c»/'//;'//M5)  *        .        .        .     198 

The  Rocking  Boulder,  Located  on  the  Granite  Ridge  near 
the    Bear's  Den,   in  the  Zoological  Garden,   Bronx 

Park,  New  York  City 200 

A  pressure  of  fifty  pounds  causes  this  boulder 

to  move  about  two  inches. 
From  photograph  by  George  Stonebridge. 

The  Red  Wood  Lily  {Lilium  Philadelphicum)   .        .        .     210 

The  Cascade  of  Notch  Brook,  at  the  Base  of  Mount  Grey- 
lock's  Brotherhood,  North  Adams,  Massachusetts       .     212 

Notch  Valley  and  the  Bellows-Pipe,  North  Adams,  Massa- 
chusetts. Mount  Greylock  towers  up  on  the  right, 
and  the  Ragged  Mountains  on  the  left  hand        .        .     218 

The  Marble  Arch  of  the  Natural  Bridge,  North  Adams, 

Massachusetts 228 

The  Star-Blossoms  of  the  Grass  of  Parnassus  {Parnassia 

CaroHniana),  and  the  Ladies'  Tresses  .        .        .     234 

The  Hoosac  River,  Pownal,  Vermont*       ....     238 

The  Fragrant  White  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripedium  Mon- 

tanuni) 242 

Colored 

T)ae  ^\iov^y  M.occa&va-V\ov}^r  {Cypripedium  regincB)'*'       .     244 
This  is  the  most  gorgeous  Cypripedium  in 
the  world,  and  without  doubt  one  of  the 
most  ancient  types  of  the  genus. 
Colored 


Illustrations  xv 


PAGB 


The  Pink  Moccasin- Flower— the  Stemless  Lady's  Slipper 

{Cypripedium  acaule)  * 246 

Showing  the  structure  of  the  pendulous  and 
bilobed   labellum,  and    the  processes  of 
the  sepals  and  petals. 
Colored 
The  Showy  Orchis  (Orchis  spedabilis)  *      .        .        .        .     248 
The  first  orchid  of  the  season,  showing  the 
hooded  fold  above  the  orifice  of  the  spur, 
and  the  processes  of  the  flowers  on  the 
bracted  scape. 
Colored 
A  Group  of  Three  Species  of  Genus  Habenaria  :  i.  The 
Tall  Northern  Green  Orchis  {Habetiaria  hyperborea) ; 
2.  The  Tall  Northern  White  Orchis  {Habenaria  dila- 
tata) ;  3.  The  Large  Round-Leaved  Orchis  {Habenaria 

orbiculata)* 250 

Colored 
The  Spikes  of  Habenaria  {Habenaria  Andrewseii  aud 

Habenaria  psycodes) 252 

The  Small  Bog  Orchis  {Habetiaria  clavellata)     .        .         .     254 
Andrews' Rose-Purple  Orchis  (//tzd^war/a  y4«fi?r^ze'5«V)    .     258 
The  Beautiful  Arethusa  {Arethusa  bnlbosa)         .        .         .     262 
Showing  the  structural  parts  of  the  flower, 

the  single  leaf,  aud  bulbous  root. 
Colored 
The  Hooded  Ladies'  Tresses  {Gyrostachys  Romanzoffiana)     264 
The  Nodding  Ladies'  Tresses  {Gyrostachys  cernua)    .         .     266 
The  Slender  Ladies'  Tresses  {Gyrostachys  gracilis)    .        .     268 
The  Haunts  of   the  Rattlesnake    Plantain    {Peramium) 
amid  the  Pines  and  Spruces  of  the  Domelet,  Pownal, 

Vermont 270 

The  Green  Adder's-Mouth  {Achroayithes  uni/olia)      .        .     272 
The  Large  Tway blade  (Zff/z'crf///^ ///n/f/iaj    '  .         .         .     274 
Northern  Calypso  {Calypso  bulbosa)     .....     276 
From  lithograph  in  Meehan's  Native  Flowers 
and  Ferns  of  the  United  States,  i  :  1878. 
By  permission. 
Colored 


XVI 


Illustrations 


PAGE 

The  Coral-Koot  {Corallor/iiza) 280 

The  Grass  Pink  {Ltmodorutn  tuberosum)   ....     282 
A  beautiful   grassy-leaved  orchid    found   in 
company  with  the  dainty  Rose  Pogonia, 
and  frequently  with  the  rarer  Arethusa 
in  wild  cranberry  marshes. 
Colored 
Epiphytes,  or  Air  Plants.     A  Corner  in  the  Orchid  House 

of  the  Botanical  Gardens  of  New  York  City  *      .        .     284 


FIRST   SEASON 


Off  to  tKe  Hills  of  BerKsHire  and 
Bennington 

It  is  not  the  walking  merely,  it  is  keeping  yourself  in  tune 
for  a  walk,  in  the  spiritual  and  bodily  condition  in  which  you 
can  find  entertainment  and  exhilaration  in  so  simple  and 
natural  a  pastime.— Burroughs,  Pepadon. 

AlyL  winter  I  had  been  promising  myself  the 
pleasure  of  watching  the  flowers  unfold  in 
the   Bogs  of  Etchowog.     On   May   25th   I 
reached  the  old  farm  on  Mount  CEta,  having 
departed  from  New  York  on  May  14th,  fully  equipped 
as  a  bog-trotter,   with  hunting-boots,  rubber  gloves, 
short  skirts  and  vasculum. 

My  route  was  through  New  Haven  and  Hartford, 
across  the  States  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts. 
On  my  way  I  stopped  for  a  brief  visit  at  the  home  of  a 
friend  in  New  Haven.  In  her  garden,  I  found  a  corner 
of  the  Taconic  woodlands  awakening.  Here,  in  line 
and  on  time,  stood  five  modest  Yellow  Lady's  Slippers 
{^Cypripedium  hirsutuni),  members  of  the  Orchid  Fam- 
ily; while  along  the  same  border  clusters  of  the  Showy 
Lady's  Shpper  {Cypripedium  7-egince)  were  pushing 
their  dewy-tipped  beaks  into  light  and  sunshine. 
Although  rather  late  in  their  blossoming,  compared 
3 

D.  H.  HIU  LIBRARY 

North  Caro^iNi   r*?»te  College 


4  Dog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

with  the  other  sisters  of  this  genus  in  New  England, 
this  species  usually  reaches  its  prime  about  June  20th. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  garden  towered  an  ambitious 
row  of  ferns,  some  twenty  root  clusters  or  more,  includ- 
ing many  rare  species.  Here  was  an  especially  queer 
little  strap-like  leaf,  which  one  would  scarcely  call  a 
fern  unless  one  were  a  professed  fern-hunter.  It  is 
the  rare  Walking  Leaf  {Camptosorus  rhizophyllus),  the 
scientific  name  meaning  a  bent  heap,  and  the  appear- 
ance of  the  plant  indeed  is  suggestive  of  the  name. 
The  frond  is  from  four  to  twelve  inches  long,  springing 
from  a  heart-shaped  base  and  reaching  out  a  long,  nar- 
row runner,  which  readily  roots  at  the  end  again,  and 
thence  takes  a  step  onward,  and  so  on,  until  three  or 
four  steps  are  taken,  often  in  this  way  forming  a  beauti- 
ful carpet  for  the  cold  gray  lime  rocks,  which  it  prefers 
in  its  native  haunts. 

The  Walking  Fern  is  shy  in  its  habitat,  seeking  the 
most  hidden  crevices  in  ledges  along  our  mountain 
sides.  I  have  collected  it  in  many  dark  ravines,  as 
well  as  along  dry,  rocky  ridges  in  the  Hoosac  High- 
lands. It  takes  kindly  to  cultivation  for  a  season  or 
two,  and  then  dies  out  for  want  of  its  natural  soil  of 
limestone. 

A  short  walk  toward  West  Rock,  New  Haven, 
showed  me  how  far  advanced  the  season  really  was. 
Here  were  crowds  of  children  playing  in  fields  covered 
with  violets  and  bluets,  and  farther  down  in  the  damp 
meadows  were  long,  serpentine  lines  of  gold,  where 
the  Marsh  Marigolds  {Caltha  palnstris),  known  com- 


lower.      {C ypripCiiimii  hirsutnm.) 
allied  with  the  Small  Yellow  Fragrant  spe- 
ith    which   it   grows    in   close   comradeship,   often 
It  is  also  nearly  related  with  the  European  Yellow  Cypripedium  (C>- 
pripcdium  calceolus).  the  first  Cypripedium  described  by  Linnteus  in  i74o-i7S3 


The  Large  Yellow  Moccasin 

This  common  Cypripedium  is  closc 

cies — Cypripedium   parvifiorum 

intergrading 


Off  to  the  Hills  5 

monly  as  Cowslips,  were  already  fading.  On  the 
edges  of  the  swamp,  the  Marsh  Buttercups  of  the  Crow- 
foot Family  (^RayiJincidaccce) ,  were  lifting  their  shallow 
yellow  cups  to  catch  the  sunshine.  We  wandered  on 
through  a  pretty,  wild  bit  of  young  woodland  until  we 
reached  the  border  of  a  murmuring  stream,  creeping 
onward  through  the  vale  and  meadow,  touching  the 
blossoming  orchards  here  and  there,  and  freshening  the 
sweet  white  violets  on  its  brink. 

North  Adams,  Massachusetts,  was  to  be  my  next 
station.  This  city  is  about  two  hundred  miles  from 
New  York,  among  the  Hoosac  Highlands.  I  almost 
expected  to  see  reluctant  snowdrifts  still  lingering  in 
the  fence  corners  and  shaded  pine  glens  of  this  part  of 
"  Beautiful  Berkshire,"  and  I  half  hoped  to  find  a  few 
late  clusters  of  the  Trailing  Arbutus  {Epigiza  repe7is) 
creeping  through  the  cold,  mossy  ravines. 

Upon  my  arrival  in  North  Adams,  I  looked  through 
the  bogs  under  the  brow  of  Hoosac  Mountain  near 
Aurora's  Lake,  and  I  could  perceive  scarcely  any 
difference  in  the  progress  of  flowers  or  foliage  here 
from  that  of  the  region  from  which  I  had  just  de- 
parted. Dogwood,  apple  trees,  violets,  anemones  and 
wake-robins  were  in  blossom,  while  in  the  deeper 
bogland  I  found  one  lone,  pale  Pink  Moccasin-Flower 
{Cypripedium  acaulc). 

American  White  Hellebore,  so  commonly  known  as 
Indian  Poke  or  Itch  Weed  ( Veratrum  viride),  had 
already  sent  out  a  luxuriant  growth  of  green  leaves, 
which  for  a  moment  deceived  me— as  it  had  done  many 


6  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

times  before — by  its  resemblance  to  the  foliage  of  the 
Showy  Lady's  Slipper,  The  leaves  of  both  these  plants 
are  plicate,  and  have  ever  been  confused  even  by  the 
earliest  herbalists.  Unrolling  a  spike  of  leaves  one 
day,  I  found  I  had  actually  disturbed  the  buds  of  the 
queen  of  the  Lady's  Slippers  instead  of  the  Hellebore, 
although  they  proved  to  be  blasted.  No  doubt  some 
warm  day  had  started  them  prematurely,  frost  and 
cold  rains  later  proving  their  ruin. 

Here  on  a  sheltered  damp  hillside,  I  found  my  first 
clusters  of  the  season  of  the  Pink  Azalea  {Azalea 
nudifiord),  which  is  commonly  known  hereabout  as 
Swamp-Apple,  and  which  is  very  similar  to  Rhodora 
Canadensis.  These  species  belong  to  the  Heath  Family, 
one  of  the  largest  among  the  flora  of  Hoosac  Valley. 
The  beautiful  pink  flowers  of  the  Great  Rhododendron, 
which  measure  from  one  to  two  inches  in  diameter, 
render  it  the  most  charming  species  of  this  group.  It 
is  cultivated  extensively,  but  grows  in  its  natural  wild 
state,  in  this  region,  only  along  the  margins  of  ponds 
near  Montpelier  and  Wells  River,  in  Vermont. 

The  American  Mountain  Laurel  {Kalmia),  which  be- 
comes so  gorgeous  later  in  the  season,  the  Lambkill, 
Labrador  Tea,  Andromeda  and  the  Cassandra  are 
closel)'^  allied  species  of  this  group,  common  to  this 
region.  Other  familiar  members  of  it  are  the  Trailing 
Arbutus,  Gaultheria,  and  the  Creeping  Snowberry. 
They  may  be  found  in  Aurora's  Swamp. 

North  Adams  is  not  far  from  the  sources  of  the  south 
and  north  branches  of  the  Hoosac  River,  in  a  wild  and 


Off  to  the  Hills  7 

rugged  portion  of  Berkshire.  The  Hoosac  proper  is 
formed  at  the  junction  of  these  two  streams,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Print  Works  near  Marshall  Street  in  the 
city,  and  flows  on  gently  in  a  northwesterly  course  to 
join  the  Hudson,  near  lyansingburg.  Mountain  streams 
in  this  region  are  numerous,  and  flow  musically  down 
through  deep  chasms  and  over  great  marble  precipices, 
to  swell  the  Hoosac  as  it  glides  slowly  out  through  the 
deep-cut  valley. 

"  We  Hold  the  Western  Gateway,"  is  part  of  the  in- 
scription on  the  seal  of  the  city  of  North  Adams,  which 
is  known  as  the  "Tunnel  City."  This  is  practically 
true,  for  the  sole  gateway  of  the  trade  from  the  Western 
States  passes  though  the  flinty  wall  of  the  Hoosac 
Mountain,  in  order  to  reach  Boston  direct.  The  idea 
of  opening  a  path  for  transit  through  the  "  Forbidden 
Mountain,"  as  the  Indians  called  it,  was  conceived  six 
years  after  the  first  mail-coach  and  four-in-hand  rattled 
through  the  street  of  this  town  to  Greenfield,  in  1814. 
It  was  found  impossible  to  build  the  projected  canal 
from  Boston  to  Albany.  The  estimated  cost  of  build- 
ing the  tunnel  was  less  than  two  million  dollars,  but 
when  it  was  completed  in  1875,  the  total  financial  out- 
lay had  amounted  to  over  twenty  millions.  Until  Jan- 
uary I,  1887,  this  tunnel  was  owned  by  the  State  of 
Massachusetts,  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  Fitchburg 
Railroad.  It  is  four  and  three  fourths  miles  long,  and 
twenty-six  feet  wide,  permitting  of  double  tracks.  The 
arch  is  from  twenty-two  to  twenty-six  feet  high,  and 
at  each  portal  there  is  a  massive  granite  facade. 


8  Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

Whenever  I  come  to  the  Hoosac  Valley,  I  enter,  if 
possible,  by  way  of  this  tunnel.  I  seem  thus  to  close 
away  the  outer  world,  and  to  penetrate  a  new  realm  hid- 
den here  in  the  seclusion  of  the  marble  highlands.  This 
triumph  of  man  over  the  power  of  Nature  needs  no 
further  introduction  here.  I  can  never  forget,  however, 
the  weary  years  of  hardships  endured  by  those  who 
toiled  in  its  construction,  entombed  within  the  heart  of 
the  mountain,  subject  to  the  dangers  of  quicksands, 
falling  rocks,  damp  and  gases,  explosives,  fire  and 
starvation,  before  the  great  work  was  accomplished. 

I  enjoyed  the  ridges  in  the  pastures  along  the  foot- 
hills of  the  grim -faced  Tunnel  Mountain,  and  about 
Aurora's  Lake,  which  reflects  like  a  pretty  little  mirror 
the  rugged  beauty  of  the  hills.  This  lake  is  partly 
natural,  but  now  dammed  artificially.  Every  line  of 
its  terraced  shores  bears  the  scars  of  antiquity,  which 
would  indicate  that  ten  thousand  years  ago  a  larger 
lake  slept  in  this  hollow  vale  which  geologists  have 
estimated  at  a  depth  of  six  hundred  feet.  Here  are 
rich  deposits  of  glacial  drift,  and  northeast  of  Aurora's 
Lake  are  sphagnous  swamps,  where  I  find  many  rare 
orchids  and  early  spring  blossoms.  Here  both  the 
pink  and  yellow  Moccasin-Flowers  bloom  in  May, 
while  in  June  the  queen  of  the  tribe  unfolds  her  white- 
petaled  purity. 

This  bogland  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Swamp 
of  Oracles  in  Pownal,  in  District  Fourteen,  save  for  the 
openness  of  the  former's  shores.  Aurora's  Swamp 
is  located  in  a  deep  flinty  basin,  surrounded  only  by 


Off  to  the  Hills  9 

low  tangled  bushes  and  open  pasture-land  beyond, 
without  forests  to  shield  the  bogs  from  the  sweep  of 
winds. 

The  hills  are  strewn  with  great  boulders  left  here  in 
the  Glacial  Age,  which  rest,  poised  as  monuments  of 
that  mystical  period.  Especially  interesting  are  the 
dimpled  erosions  upon  one  boulder,  which  rests  just 
northeast  of  the  lakelet,  upon  the  ridges  sloping  east- 
ward toward  the  sphagnous  swamp.  There  are  visible 
deep  scratches,  hollows,  arches  and  miniature  pillars, 
which  the  whirling  eddies  of  the  perilous  waves  have 
eroded  during  the  ages  unknown.  Higher  on  the 
summit  of  the  Hoosac  rests  another  immense  rock 
known  to  students  of  geology  as  the  ' '  Great  Ver- 
monter."  It  is  said  to  have  been  brought  from  the 
marble  and  granite  heights  of  Vermont,  imbedded  in 
the  ice-drift.  Through  the  melting  of  the  glacial 
sheet,  one  of  the  drifting  bergs  left  this  hero  of  the 
ages  as  we  may  see  it  now,  moored  and  balanced  high 
on  old  Hoosac' s  brow. 

The  geological  surveys  of  northern  Massachusetts, 
by  President  Hitchcock  of  Amherst  in  1838,  early  iden- 
tified all  of  the  low,  round  hills  to  be  seen  southward 
from  Aurora's  Lake  as  the  result  of  glacial  action. 
Mount  Greylock's  Brotherhood  is  a  group  of  giant 
glacial  hills,  as  it  were,  and  is  the  highest  pile  of 
Taconic  formation  in  this  State.  The  erosions  of  the 
great  ice-sheet  are  plainly  seen  on  the  rocky  summits 
of  these  mountains,  and  only  time  and  the  decay  of 
the  rock  itself  will  do  away  with  these  scars  of  that 


lo  Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

mystical  age.  The  name  of  "  Grey  lock  "  appears  to 
be  derived  from  the  lowering  cloud-mist  so  often  cap- 
ping the  whole  Brotherhood  at  early  dawn  or  before 
a  storm. 

Vermonters  who,  from  the  hills  at  a  great  distance 
to  the  north,  view  this  group  of  mountains,  depend 
upon  this  capping  of  clouds  as  a  forecast  of  the 
weather.  Among  the  old  folk,  it  is  known  and  desig- 
nated as  "  Greylock's  Nightcap,"  a  portent  of  a  com- 
ing storm. 

Mount  Greylock,  the  highest  swell  of  this  range,  is 
3600  feet  above  sea  level,  and  commands  a  variable 
and  extensive  view  from  its  bald  summit,  on  which 
was  early  erected  that  first  wooden  observatory,  during 
President  Griffin's  term  at  Williams  College.  Here 
the  poet  and  the  philosopher,  Hawthorne  and  Thoreau, 
have  climbed  to  meditate. 

Many  a  message  has  gone  forth  from  these  heights 
to  bless  the  busy  world.  Scarcely  is  there  a  son  of  old 
Williams  who  does  not  recall  the  mountain-day  excur- 
sions led  by  Professor  Albert  Hopkins,  and  the  glory 
of  old  Greylock  at  dawn  and  at  the  sunset  hour. 

Thoreau  writes  of  it:  "  It  would  be  no  small  advan- 
tage if  every  college  were  thus  located  at  the  base  of  a 
mountain,  as  good  at  least  as  one  well-endowed  pro- 
fessorship. It  were  as  well  to  be  educated  in  the 
shadow  of  a  mountain  as  in  more  classical  shades. 
Some  will  remember,  no  doubt,  not  only  that  they 
went  to  college,  but  that  they  went  to  the  mountain. 
Every  visit  to  its  summit  would,  as  it  were,  generalize 


Off  to  the  Hills  II 

the  particular  information  gained  below,  and  subject  it 
to  more  catholic  tests."  ' 

The  peak  especially  designated  as  Saddleback  Moun- 
tain is  at  the  junction  of  the  eastern  abutments  of 
that  huge  wall  of  Taconic  Brotherhood  which  appears 
south  of  the  old  battle-ground  where  formerly  stood 
the  early  border  Fort  Massachusetts,  on  the  Harrison 
flats,  near  the  flag  station  of  Greylock.  The  union  of 
Mount  Williams,  sloping  to  the  east,  and  Prospect 
Mountain  to  the  west  forms  the  seat  of  the  saddle. 

Mount  Hopkins — so  named  in  honor  of  Professor 
Albert  Hopkins  of  Williams,  the  first  nature-student 
of  our  land,  making  excursions  afield  in  1833  —  lies 
south  of  these.  Old  Greylock,  proper,  lifts  its  lofty 
brow  still  farther  south,  being  situated  about  in  the 
centre  of  this  great  range  as  it  extends  from  east  to 
west. 

Beyond  Greylock  stretches  a  long,  misty  line  of  blue 
peaks  against  the  sky,  which  if  observed  from  Mount 
CEta  at  the  north,  in  Bennington  County,  Vermont, 
may  be  traced  to  the  southwest  to  Symoud's  Peak,  the 
lowest  of  the  group,  named  in  memory  of  Captain 
Symond,  who  led  the  volunteer  forces  from  our  hills 
and  vales  to  the  memorable  Battle  of  Bennington  in 
1777.  Bald  Mountain  is  also  in  the  vicinity,  and  the 
closing  in  of  these  several  peaks  has  conspired  to  form 
what  is  known  as  the  "  Hopper,"  and  the  "  Heart  of 
Greylock."     The  hollow  vale  amid  these  heights  has 

'  Thoreau,  Week  on  the  Concord  and  Merrimack  Rivers,  p. 
244. 


12  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

the  appearance  of  the  hoppers  used  by  millers  years 
ago. 

Surely  in  the  heart  of  the  Taconics  we  are  in  one  of 
the  oldest  rock  formations  of  the  earth,  and  the  green 
terraced  stairs  lead  us  slowly  down  to  the  deep-set 
valley  of  the  Hoosac,  where  once  slept  that  ancient 
lake.  All  that  now  remains  of  that  Lake  of  Dawn  is 
pocketed  in  the  basin  under  the  Hoosac.  The  shores 
of  Aurora's  Lake  are  lonely  and  still,  save  for  the 
marsh  thrushes  wiiich  skim  low  over  the  waves  and 
whistle  shrilly.  The  groves  of  pine  to  the  southeast 
are  the  haunts  of  solitude,  and  those  who  wander  here 
can  well  imagine  that  the  ^olian  harps  among  the 
whispering  trees  are  repeating  a  music  of  ages  past, 
when  only  wind  and  waves  were  known  to  these  hills. 

Amid  these  damp  and  reedy  shores  and  swampy 
woods  are  tail  brakes  and  delicate  Maiden-Hair  Ferns. 
Here,  too,  the  tall  and  stately  Royal- Fern  (yOsviunda 
regalis)  flourishes  in  deep  seclusion,  sheltered  by  the 
low-branching  pines  along  the  shore.  It  grows  from 
two  to  four  feet  high  in  this  locality,  and  is  of  a 
deep  rich  crimson-green  tone  against  the  grasses  and 
bushes  near.  Mounds  of  moss,  marking  one  of  the 
trees  of  a  primitive  forest  rotting  below  the  soil,  are 
thickly  carpeted  with  the  leaves  of  the  Dog's-Tooth 
Lily.  Indeed,  the  picturesque  paths  which  lead  through 
these  woods  wind  through  a  veritable  fairy-land  of 
flowers  and  ferns.  One  of  these  trails  runs  southward 
through  rocky  pastures,  swamps  and  thickets,  toward 
the  Tunnel's  western  gate. 


Off  to  the  Hills  13 

Along  these  slopes,  among  the  limestone  rocks,  I 
found  rows  of  the  Ebony  Spleen  wort  Fern,  rather  rare  in 
this  much-travelled  way  ;  and  on  the  brow  of  this  ridge 
were  many  species  of  common  fern.  The  pastures  are 
barren  and  dry,  with  few  bushes  to  break  the  dreary  hori- 
zon, as  one  approaches  the  western  portal  of  the  Tunnel. 

I  came  upon  one  lone  Apple- Thorn  bush,  of  genus 
CratcBgus  of  the  Apple  Family,  Nearly  opposite,  across 
the  valley  of  the  south  branch  of  the  Hoosac,  which 
the  Indians  named  the  Ashuilticook,  may  be  distin- 
guished the  smoking  Limekilns ;  while  still  farther 
southward,  the  white-spired  village  of  Adams  nestles 
at  the  base  of  Greylock,  which  towers  serenely  above 
the  shaggy  shoulders  of  Ragged  Mountain.  I  wan- 
dered about  the  edges  of  the  Tunnel  clifis  where, 
in  years  gone  by,  had  stood  the  impoverished  cab- 
ins which  sheltered  the  laborers  who  tunnelled  the 
Hoosac.  I  descended  into  the  chasm  and  seated  my- 
self upon  the  wall  of  rocks,  waiting  for  the  trains 
to  appear  and  disappear  at  the  portal  in  the  side  of 
the  hill.  Presently  one  from  the  West  crept  ponder- 
ously into  the  cavern.  The  echoing  roar  was  smothered, 
and  died  slowly  away  until  it  became  an  indistinct  mur- 
mur. Not  long  afterward  I  felt,  as  well  as  heard,  the 
low  breathings  and  rumblings  of  a  locomotive  coming 
in  the  opposite  direction.  I  heard  its  subterranean 
groans  as  of  a  great  spirit,  while  the  smoke  poured 
forth,  pushed  in  volumes  before  the  engine,  wreathing 
and  curling  about  it  as  it  emerged,  and  partially  con- 
cealing its  grim  outlines. 


14  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

The  faithful  watchman,  a  modern  Eckhart,  sits  before 
the  entrance  of  the  Western  Gateway  of  Hoosac  Moun- 
tain, and  warns  the  people  against  entering  through 
this  portal  to  the  greater  world  that  lies  beyond.  It 
is  as  if  he  wished  to  guard  these  children  of  the  mar- 
ble highlands  from  the  risks  attendant  upon  the  wild 
whirl  of  life  beyond  these  quiet  hills. 

The  sun  was  setting  as  I  left  him,  calm  but  alert,  at 
his  post  of  duty,  trimming  and  lighting  his  colored 
lanterns  for  signals  of  danger  or  safety  to  the  approach- 
ing trains.  Climbing  up  by  the  path  which  passes  the 
little  red  cottage  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  chasm,  I  returned  leisurely  homeward, 
winding  over  the  hillsides,  far  above  Aurora's  Lake, 
then  down  along  the  borders  of  the  swamp-lands.  In 
the  crevices  of  rock  were  creeping  colonies  of  the  Com- 
mon Polypody  {Polypodhwi  vulgare).  Along  the  edges 
of  this  bog  are  still  seen  the  primeval  stumps  of  the 
pine  and  hemlock  forests,  which  clothed  these  hillsides 
when  only  the  Redmen  dwelt  and  hunted  among  these 
wildernesses. 

In  May  and  early  June  these  decaying  stumps  are 
usually  draped  with  Painted  Trillium  and  the  dehcate 
vines  of  Gaultheria  and  the  Creeping  Snowberry,  while 
the  Arbutus  trails  about  luxuriantly,  covering  up  the 
ruins  of  years. 


II 

Ball  BrooK  and  tHe  Bo^s  of 
HtcHo-wo^ 

Fringing  the  stream,  at  every  turn 
Swung  low  the  waving  fronds  of  fern  ; 
From  stony  cleft  and  mossy  sod 
Pale  asters  sprang,  and  golden-rod. 

Whittier,  The  Seeking  of  the  Waterfall. 

ON  May  25th  I  reached  Pownal,  Bennington 
County.  Upon  the  following  day  I  ex- 
plored the  great  swamps  of  Btchowog. 
Prepared  with  luncheon,  vasculum,  basket 
for  roots  and  my  hound  Major,  I  started  on  one  of  those 
happy  excursions  such  as  Thoreau  recommends  we 
should  take,  "  in  the  spirit  of  undying  adventure,  never 
to  return, — prepared  to  send  back  our  embalmed  hearts 
only  as  relics  to  our  desolate  kingdoms."  ' 

Ball  Brook,  a  sluggish  stream  flowing  northwardly 
to  East  Pownal  swamps — commonly  called  the  Bogs  of 
Ktchowog — has  its  source  in  the  marshy  hillsides  north- 
west of  the  schoolhouse  in  District  Fourteen.  Two 
streams  flow  from  this  valley.  One  is  called  I^add 
Brook,  running  southwesterly  and  following  the  wind- 
ings of  the  shady  I^add  Road  to  Pownal  village,  where 
'Thoreau,  "Walking,"  Excursions,  p.  252. 
15 


1 6  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

it  joins  the  Hoosac  River.  The  other  stream,  Ball 
Brook,  flows  north  and  northeast  onward  through  in- 
numerable and  unfathomable  swamps,  to  Bennington 
village,  ten  miles  north,  there  meeting  the  Walloom- 
sac  River,  which  is  also  a  tributary  of  the  Hoosac, 
farther  northward  in  its  course.  This  brook  is  rich  in 
a  continuous  chain  of  peat  bogs — rich  from  an  orchid- 
hunter's  point  of  view. 

Although  I  have  been  familiar  with  this  region  from 
childhood,  viewing  it  from  the  roadside  only,  I  never 
at  any  time  had  ventured  to  follow  Ball  Brook  through 
all  its  meanderings  to  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog  near 
Pownal  Pond,  a  distance  of  some  three  miles.  This 
would  not  be  a  long  walk  on  a  fair  road,  but  it  becomes 
rather  dangerous  and  formidable  when  leading  through 
quaking  marshes  in  the  soaking  currents  of  a  stream. 

A  short  distance  to  the  right,  north  of  the  school- 
house  in  Number  Fourteen,  there  is  an  old  pathway 
nearly  overgrown  with  bushy  pines  and  birch  and 
chestnut  underbrush.  This  I  followed,  entering  the 
hollow  under  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  passing  along 
the  wood  road  which  skirts  the  margins  of  one  of  the 
deepest,  darkest  jungles  in  these  regions.  The  old 
people  look  upon  it  as  akin  to  "Witch  Hollow,"  on 
the  Gulf  Road  near  by,  and  tell  strange  tales  of  ghosts, 
and  of  some  mythological  peddler  who  was  swallowed 
here  in  the  black  mud  of  this  ancient  tarn,  after  having 
been  robbed  of  his  fine  silks  and  precious  jewels. 

Weird,  hollow  drummings  issue  and  echo  through 
these  shaded  vales  from  time  to  time.     Probably  they 


Ball  BrooK  17 

are  due,  however,  to  nothing  mor._  starling  than  the 
alarum  of  a  partridge,  or  the  hoot  of  the  screech-owl ; 
or  the  creaking  and  rubbing  of  partially  fallen  trees 
against  their  supporting  brothers,  voicing  a  portent 
of  coming  storm.  I  hear  in  this  woodland  seclusion 
little  save  the  whispering  of  the  winds,  the  sighing 
of  the  pines,  and  snapping  of  dead  twigs,  mingled 
with  the  chorus  of  the  thrushes.  The  first  settlers 
here  about  interpreted  these  wood-sounds  far  differ- 
ently ;  then  the  primeval  forests  were  dense,  and  the 
noises  were  deep  and  full  of  mystery,  and  there  was 
fear  of  the  Redman's  war-whoop.  As  Burroughs 
writes:  "The  ancients,  like  women  and  children,  were 
not  accurate  observers.  Just  at  the  critical  moment 
their  eyes  were  unsteady,  or  their  fancy,  or  their  cred- 
ulity, or  their  impatience  got  the  better  of  them,  so 
that  their  science  was  half  fact  and  half  fable.  .  .  . 
They  sought  to  account  for  such  things  without  stop- 
ping to  ask,  Are  they  true?  Nature  was  too  novel,  or 
else  too  fearful  to  them  to  be  deliberately  pursued  and 
hunted  down."  ' 

I  stopped  on  a  corduroy  bridge  to  draw  on  mj'  high- 
water  boots  and  rubber  gloves,  for  one  feels  safer  when 
entering  this  dense  swamp  if  protected  from  poisonous 
roots  and  foliage,  biting  insects  and  things  that  creep 
and  crawl. 

I  had  started  out  with  small  belief  that  I  would  find 
any  prime  blossoms  of  the  Orchid  Family,  for  nothing 
of  importance  had  yet  unfolded  in  Aurora's  Swamp  in 
'  Burroughs,  A  Year  in  the  Fields. 


1 8  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

North  Adams.  But  when  I  penetrated  the  heart  of 
these  rich,  warm  glooms,  I  found  waiting  for  me  a 
fragrant  company  of  Dwarf  Yellow  I^ady's  Slipper 
i^Cypripedium  parviflortivi);  and  innumerable  Stemless 
Pink  Lady's  Slippers,  more  frequently  called  the  In- 
dian's Moccasin-Flower  {^Cypripedium  acaiile),  stood  as 
sentinels  on  the  dryer  edges  of  the  swamp. 

The  Marsh  Marigolds  were  here  also  in  their  last 
stages,  fading  away,  but  still  sufficiently  bright;  with 
the  late  indigo-blue  violets,  which  rear  their  faces  at 
least  a  foot  high  above  the  dark  pools,  to  carpet  the 
marsh  with  gold  and  purple.  Poison  Ivy  cropped  out 
frequently  among  these  graceful  orchids, — a  beautiful 
vine,  although  unfriendly  to  man. 

It  is  difficult  to  describe  the  dense  gloom  of  this  bog, 
closed  in  on  all  sides  by  high  rock-bound  hills,  which 
are  clothed  with  pine  and  yellow  birch  trees,  and  which 
in  their  turn  are  but  foothills  to  the  higher  watershed. 
It  seems  to  have  been  a  receiving  basin  for  the  waste 
and  wear  of  the  heights  above  for  thousands  of  years. 
Here  are  fallen  trees  of  ever}'  variety  common  in  south- 
western Vermont,  and  these  prostrate  giants  helped  to 
form  a  safe  footing  through  the  quaking  bogs. 

Many  cold  springs  under  the  hill  to  the  south  con- 
spire to  freshen  the  marsh,  and  after  sluggish  oozing 
northward,  they  unite  and  form  the  brook  proper. 
The  stream  leads  directly  through  the  heart  of  the 
swamp,  and  at  last,  gathering  force,  rushes  down  over 
rocky  slopes,  presently  to  enter  another  swamp  of 
greater  breadth,  filled  with  different  trees  and  flowers. 


Ball  DrooK  19 

The  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  {Cypripedium  regince) 
was  just  sending  forth  its  tiny  roll  of  leaves,  so  I  could 
not  expect  prime  blossoms  before  June  i5tli  at  the 
earliest. 

Seated  on  a  decaying  log,  I  ate  my  luncheon,  with 
Major  before  me  begging  impoHtely  for  his  portion, 
until  I  divided  my  cake  with  him.  The  mosquitoes 
were  so  troublesome  that  I  decided  to  push  onward. 
Carefully  picking  my  way  out  of  the  swamp,  I  crossed 
the  muddy  brook,  and  found  myself  in  a  dry,  rocky 
pathway  which  winds  around  the  hillside,  but  still 
keeps  within  sound  of  the  brook's  murmur. 

In  exquisite  little  glens  beside  the  path  were  Painted 
Trilliums  and  Stars-of-Bethlehem,  while  the  white  and 
gold  stars  of  the  dainty  Goldthread  {Coptis  trifolid) 
were  shining  amid  the  moss  and  their  own  glossy  green 
leaves. 

In  the  bend  of  the  stream  a  little  farther  on  were 
some  of  the  most  graceful  little  ferns,  just  near  enough 
to  the  brink  to  catch  now  and  then  a  dash  of  spray 
from  the  rushing  waters,  swayed  in  the  coolness  all 
day  long,  adding  beauty  to  the  nook. 

Still  farther  on,  I  saw  that  by  crossing  the  stream  I 
could  enter  a  little  ravine  to  the  right,  which  promised 
hidden  treasures.  I  waded  through  the  brook,  which 
was  too  wide  to  jump  across;  I  found  that  it  was  also 
rather  too  deep  for  my  boots,  and  that  there  were  very 
few  stepping-stones  to  make  a  dry  crossing  possible. 
But  of  what  matter  is  a  little  water  in  one's  boots, 
when   seeking  the  Gardens  of  the  Gods?     I  landed 


20  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

safely  on  the  opposite  bank,  after  frightening  many  a 
shy,  speckled  trout  from  his  hiding-place  in  this  ideal 
fishing-hole. 

I  was  now  in  a  small,  low-lying  glen  where  foot  of 
man  has  seldom  been.  The  soil,  though  much  drier 
than  the  ground  over  which  I  had  recently  passed,  dis- 
played a  honeycombed  appearance,  showing  where  the 
water  had  oozed  away  through  the  rich  leaf-mould  to 
seek  the  flowing  stream  beyond. 

Whole  constellations  of  star-flowers  were  here;  both 
the  Painted  and  Crimson  or  Nodding  Trilliums  were 
abundant,  asserting  themselves  and  their  rights,  if  size 
of  flowers  and  leaves  may  indicate  strength,  among  the 
tall,  rank  growth  of  the  Common  Brake  {Pferis  aqui- 
lina),  which  frequently  rise  five  feet  in  height.  Close 
by  their  long,  harsh  lobes  grew  the  plicate  leaves  of  the 
Indian  Poke  or  White  Hellebore.  Skunk  Cabbage 
{SpathyemafcEtidd),  so  frequent  in  the  swamps  along 
Bronx  River  in  Greater  New  York,  is  rarely  seen 
here,  although  I  find  lone  specimens  now  and  then  in 
Aurora's  Swamp  in  northern  Berkshire,  and  in  this 
jungle.  Ivily  leaves  and  Dwarf  Cornel  peeped  out  from 
every  shadow.  Here  I  found  the  red-spotted  leaves 
of  Dog's-Tooth  Lily  {Erythronium  Americanuni)  and 
Clintonia  {Clintonia  borealis),  as  well  as  the  delicate 
leaves  of  the  False  Lily-of- the- Valley  {Unifolium  Cana- 
dense),  and  several  species  of  Solomon's  Seal,  while  the 
weird  Indian  Cucumber  {Medeola  Virginia7ia)  rose  up 
everywhere  beneath  the  luxuriant  ferns. 

Dwarf  Cornel,  or  Bunch  Berry,   locally  known  as 


Ball  DrooK  21 

Bear  Berry  {^Cornus  Ca^iadaisis)  was  about  to  set  its 
fruit.  These  berries  are  of  a  deep  vermilion  color,  and 
eatable  if  one  has  the  patience  to  sever  the  seeds. 
From  the  bark  of  this  species  of  the  Dogwood  Family 
is  extracted  a  tonic  which  is  very  bitter. 

I  found  the  beautiful  Star-Flowered  Solomon's  Seal 
(  Vagnera  stellata),  and  the  deeper  bogs  revealed  speci- 
mens of  the  rarer  bog  species,  Vagnera  trifolia,  which, 
in  spite  of  its  name,  produced  plants  with  more  than 
three  leaves,  and  many  beautiful  fragrant  flowers  of 
a  waxy  white  color.  Indian  Turnip  {Aris^ma  triphyl- 
lum),  more  commonly  known  to-day  as  Jack-in-the- 
Pulpit,  was  numberless  ;  the  little  priests  in  the  pulpits 
were  dressed  in  cardinal's  robes  trimmed  with  stripes 
of  green,  white,  and  purple. 

This  sylvan  retreat  which  jaelded  so  many  specimens 
of  beautiful  flowers  I  called  the  "  Glen  of  Comus,"  for 
I  could  not  rid  my  thoughts  of  the  deep,  dark  wood- 
lands where  Sabrina  was  lost  among  the  enchanters.' 
I  fancied  that  the  Purple  Trilliums  stood  with  nodding 
petals  bowed  down  to  earth  as  though  they  were  guilty 
of  some  crimson  sin  and  dared  not  lift  their  faces  to  the 
sun. 

I  gathered  from  every  species  some  perfect  treasure, 
and  then  returned,  wandering  once  more  beside  the  cool 
brook.  I  wondered  if  it  carried  all  the  memories  of  the 
forest  fastness,  gleaned  among  the  roots  of  our  frail, 
beautiful  hillside  flowers,  through  the  mighty  rivers 
to  the  deep  seaweeds  and  strange  aquatic  blossoms 
'  Milton,  Contws. 


2  2  Dog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

which  had  at  one  time  bloomed  among  these  very  hills 
ages  and  ages  ago. 

Climbing  a  fence,  I  found  ni5'self  in  a  parched,  short- 
cropped  cow-pasture,  but  the  stream  soon  passed  into  a 
large  tamarack  swamp,  where  in  many  places  neither 
man  nor  beast  can  wander  with  ease  or  safety.  I  rested 
under  a  wide-spreading  pine  tree,  looking  the  marsh 
over  to  choose  the  best  path  through  it,  for  I  still  had 
some  distance  to  walk  before  I  could  reach  Pownal 
Pond  and  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog. 

In  order  to  make  my  journey  less  burdensome,  I  de- 
cided to  leave  my  treasures  of  gold  and  crimson  hidden 
in  this  stream,  where  they  would  not  only  keep  fresh, 
but  would  be  much  safer  than  with  me.  I  felt  that 
they  would  be  reasonably  safe  from  marauders,  for 
orchids  are  far  more  numerous  than  human  beings  in 
this  forlorn  locality;  for  where  verdant  meadows  might 
spread  were  only  uncultivated,  almost  impassable,  dis- 
mal swamp-lands. 

At  last  my  flowers  were  safely  placed  in  the  bend  of 
the  brook  near  an  old  pine  stump,  where  I  made  them 
fast,  covering  them  with  the  coarse  brakes  which  grow 
everywhere;  then  I  strode  on  northward  through  the 
tamarack  swamp.  This  marsh  covers  a  large  part  of 
Ball  Farm,  from  which  the  brook  crossing  it  derives 
its  name. 

Through  the  trees  I  could  see  the  old  weather-worn 
farm  buildings,  nestling  in  the  shade  of  a  dozen  or 
more  large,  thrifty  maples,  and  now  and  then  I  heard 
a  faint  murmur  of  distant  voices.     Suddenly  they  sub- 


TKe  Bogs  of  E.tcHo'wo^  23 

sided,  and  a  small  dog's  shrill  bark  told  me  that  I  was 
discovered,  mistaken  perhaps  for  the  veritable  "  Witch 
of  the  Hollow, ' '  by  the  present  colored  occupants. 

There  was  no  use  in  trying  to  follow  the  stream 
now,  for  its  windings  were  intricate  and  indefinite.  It 
wandered  all  over  the  meadow  marsh,  and  splashed  out 
in  one  great  mud-hole,  similar  to  that  of  the  jungle  in 
District  Fourteen,  save  that  the  meadow  here  was  open, 
with  very  little  low  tangle  or  underbrush  in  sight.  In- 
numerable tamarack  trees,  however,  lifted  their  grace- 
ful spires  throughout  the  bog;  yet  this  did  not  prevent 
the  meadow  from  appearing  flooded  with  sunshine. 

Away  over  on  the  west  side  of  this  swamp  were  many 
low-spreading  trees  of  virgin  pine,  contrasting  prettily 
with  the  lighter  greens  of  the  delicate  spires  of  tama- 
rack. Between  myself  and  the  shore  on  either  side  of 
this  mud-swamp  waved  acres  of  Fleur-de-lis,  which 
would  soon  color  the  whole  meadow  with  royal  purple. 
Still  westward  of  this  lay  an  alder  swamp.  This  shrub, 
called  Speckled  or  Hoary  Alder,  belongs  to  the  Willow 
Family,  and  grows  about  fifteen  feet  high,  along  swamp 
meadows,  forming  dense  thickets. 

Many  saucy  swamp  birds  dwell  here  and  appear 
tame ;  they  came  chattering  after  me,  fearing,  no 
doubt,  that  I  might  be  in  search  of  their  nests  and 
birdlings. 

Under  the  pines  on  the  border  of  the  swamp  I  rested, 
finding  the  while  tender  young  Wintergreens  {Gaul- 
ikeria),  and  many  edible  red  berries,  called  Checker- 
berries,    fruit    of    Gaultheria,    sometimes    known    as 


24  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Partridge-berry  and  Boxberry.  The  last  two  names 
are  more  frequently  applied  to  the  fruit  of  Mitchella 
repens^  found  growing  in  company  with  Gauliheria, 
and  producing  edible  scarlet  berries  on  a  trailing  vine, 
resembling  myrtle.  The  flowers  of  this  vine  were  now 
in  bloom,  giving  forth  a  delicate  perfume.  Their 
white  and  pinkish-purple  blossoms  dotted  the  moss 
with  a  brilliancy  like  that  of  the  Trailing  Arbutus 
{^Epigaa  repens),  so  lately  faded. 

The  buds  of  Moneses  unifiora  were  putting  forth 
their  "single-delight,"  the  name  coming  from  their 
solitary  flower.  Here  also  were  quantities  of  the  glossy, 
waxen  leaves  of  Pipsissewa  or  Prince's  Pine  {Chima- 
piiild),  and  low  creeping  evergreens.  Common  Club- 
Moss  and  Ground-Pine  were  interlaced  in  their  dark 
green  beds,  where  had  recently  nestled  the  clusters  of 
arbutus,  now  brown  and  faded,  although  the  mossy 
hummocks  still  held  the  fragrance  of  their  luxuriant 
green  leaves.  Whittier,  writing  of  these  spicy  flowers, 
associated  them  as  the  first  flowers  which  the  Pilgrims 
looked  upon  after  their  landing  on  the  bleak  shores  of 
New  England,  at  Plymouth,  in  the  spring  of  1621,  and 

says: 

Yet,  "  God  be  praise  ! "  the  Pilgrim  said. 

Who  saw  the  blossoms  peer 
Above  the  browu  leaves,  dry  and  dead, 
"  Behold  our  Mayflower  here  !  "  ' 

In  New  England  the  Arbutus  is  commonly  called 
"  Mayflower," — not  that  it  blooms  especially  in  the 
month  of  May,  for  it  has  been  found  in  northern  Berk- 
'  Whittier,  The  Mayflowers. 


The  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  —  The  Queen  of  the  Indian's  Moccasin- Flowers. 

( Cvpripcdiiim  rcgina:. ) 
Few  poets  have  ever  sung  the  praises  of  the  Queen   of  the  Moccasin -Flowers, 
although  a  lovelier  flower  never  beckoned  to  poetic  fancy. 


TKe  Do^s  of  E-tcKo-wo^  25 

shire  as  early  as  February  and  March.  My  observation 
is  that  prime  blossoms  are  found  in  the  Hoosac  Valley 
region  from  March  15th  until  May  15th,  I  have  also 
gathered  beautiful  clusters  as  late  as  June  23d,  in  cold 
nooks  beneath  the  shades  of  spruce  and  pines.  Their 
spicy  perfume  is  ever  the  delight  of  New  Englanders. 

Scrambling  with  difficulty  over  a  fence  which  sagged 
toward  me,  I  entered  a  neighboring  pasture,  finding 
here  more  alder  trees.  Small  tamaracks,  Christmas 
spires  of  spruce,  and  pine  seedlings  filled  the  pasture 
with  fresh  evergreens,  making  me  fancy  myself  in  a 
cultivated  park,  so  regular  and  trim  they  stood.  East- 
ward crept  Ball  Brook,  wandering  through  deep,  reedy 
grasses,  where  here  and  there  stood  tall  spikes  of  last 
year's  Cat-tail  Flag  {Typha).  Here  also  grows  the 
Sweet  Flag  or  Calamus  {Acorus),  which  is  not  only 
good  to  eat,  but  a  panacea  for  sore  eyes.  The  cat-tails 
stood  stiffly  erect,  as  if  guarding  the  blossoming  bog, 
and  serving,  notwithstanding  their  dignity,  as  perches 
for  the  saucy  finches  which  still  chattered  after  me. 

Now  I  passed  through  a  barway  to  the  right,  ever  in 
hearing  of  the  gurgling  stream,  which  had  reached  a 
hard,  dry,  gravelly  soil,  abruptly  following  the  down- 
ward slope  around  a  hillside.  A  well-worn  sheep  path 
led  me  down  into  a  bog  similar  to  the  Glen  of  Comus 
in  District  Fourteen,  only  if  anything  more  wild  and 
weird.  Through  the  openings  between  the  trees  and 
knob-like  glacial  hills,  I  caught  glimpses  of  the  bold, 
rugged  form  of  the  Dome,  standing  coldly  against  the 
eastern  horizon. 


26  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

A  glance  through  these  glooms  revealed  another 
colony  of  the  Showy  or  White-petalled  Lady's  Slippers 
just  bursting  forth  from  the  earth,  perhaps  four  inches 
high.  I  have  found  them  frequently  in  these  bogs, 
when  full-grown,  standing  three  feet  tall,  but  the  usual 
height  is  about  two  feet ;  and  in  open  meadow  swamps 
often  only  eighteen  inches,  owing  to  the  crowded  soil, 
choked  with  grasses  and  low  shrubs.  In  about  three 
weeks  these  bogs  would  be  gay  with  dainty  Moccasin- 
Flowers. 

In  the  upper  part  of  this  swamp,  I  found  a  rather 
quaking  corner  devoted  entirely  to  the  deep  green 
leaves  and  tall,  white-bearded  spikes  of  the  not  com- 
mon Buckbean  {Menya^ithes  trifoliatd),  a  distant  cousin 
of  the  Blue  Fringed  Gentian.  I  know  of  several  colo- 
nies of  this  rare  plant  in  the  bogs  hereabout,  where  it 
grows  plentifully,  in  its  pet  localities.  It  is  hable  to 
grow  ever  undisturbed,  I  am  sure,  since  it  chooses  such 
dangerous  swamps  in  which  to  flourish. 

Thoreau  mentions  that  Hodge  the  geologist  once 
found  at  least  an  acre  of  this  species.  He  writes:  "  We 
reached  Shad  Pond,  or  Noliseemack,  an  expansion  of 
the  river.  Hodge,  the  assistant  State  Geologist,  who 
passed  through  this  region  on  the  25th  of  June,  1837, 
says,  '  We  pushed  our  boats  through  an  acre  or  more 
of  buck-beans,  which  had  taken  root  at  the  bottom, 
and  bloomed  above  the  surface  in  the  greatest  profusion 
and  beauty.'  "  ' 

After  leaving  this  jungle, — which  reminded  me  of 
'  Thoreau,  The  Maine  Woods,  p.  34. 


The  Dogs  of  EtcKo-wog  27 

the  luxuriant  vegetation  of  tropical  swamps, — I  pushed 
onward,  ever  nearing  the  broad  marsh-lands  of  Etcho- 
wog,  east  of  Pownal  Pond,  in  the  shadow  of  the  Dome. 
A  shaded  wood-road  winds  around  the  base  of  the  hill, 
through  an  open  gatewaj^  into  a  thrifty,  well-kept  apple 
orchard.  This  adjoins  the  old  Kimball  homestead,  and 
I  therefore  designated  these  marshes  Kimball  Bogs. 
Out  through  the  orchard  meadow  I  passed,  crossing 
the  dusty  highway  which  leads  northward  around  the 
pond.  There  are  several  roads  leading  to  Bennington 
village  ;  some  are  rough,  some  are  narrow  and  hilly, 
while  others  are  broad  and  easy.  The  one  to  the  left, 
called  the  Middle  Road,  follows  through  Pownal  Centre 
to  the  county  seat  of  courts  and  justice.  By  keeping 
to  the  right,  one  arrives  at  the  same  destination  by  the 
rough  but  picturesque  East  Road,  under  the  brow  of 
the  Green  Mountains.  A  direct  route  from  Pownal 
Pond  to  Bennington  is  by  way  of  the  Hill  Road,  which 
leads  directly  north  between  the  other  highways.  Thus 
the  region  is  intersected  from  east  to  west  by  many 
roads  running  northward.  I  invariably  recommend 
the  Hill  Road  to  the  traveller  who  enjoys  beauty  of 
landscape.  On  this  way,  if  he  be  a  keen  observer 
of  nature,  he  will  find  much  pleasure. 

Instead  of  going  by  the  trodden  way  to  Pownal 
Pond,  I  chose  to  follow  closely  the  windings  of  Ball 
Brook,  which  at  this  point  of  the  road,  opposite  Kim- 
ball's barns,  mingles  with  another  mountain  torrent 
that  comes  down  from  the  spring  heads  above  Thomp- 
son's Pond,   under  the   Majestic    Dome.      The  main 


28  Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

current  of  this  stream  continues  with  the  bend  of 
the  road,  taking  with  it  the  volume  of  the  water  of  Ball 
Brook  as  it  crosses  the  greater  stream.  The  courses 
of  both  streams  are  unnatural,  having  been  removed, 
over  one  hundred  years  ago,  from  their  original  chan- 
nels in  order  to  form  a  mill-pond  for  sawmill  use. 
Originally,  I  am  told,  a  dense  forest  of  pine  trees  occu- 
pied the  hollow  where  now  the  waves  of  Pownal  Pond 
wash  over  the  decaying  stumps. 

The  natural  lake  bed  lies  in  these  broad,  sphagnous 
meadows  east  of  Kimball's  homestead,  winding  around 
to  the  north,  where  now  wave  various  small  shrubs  and 
trees.  Barber's  sawmill,  which  stands  close  by  the 
roadside,  east  of  the  pond  to-day,  is  slowly  crumbling 
away  for  want  of  use.  Water  finds  its  level,  and  al- 
though forced  to  go  by  the  roadside.  Ball  Brook  still 
seeks  in  part  its  old  channels  through  the  ancient 
meadows  of  Kimball's  Farm,  where  the  stream  is 
silent  and  elusive,  as  it  glides  among  the  tall,  lush 
grasses.  Walking  along  the  borders  of  this  hidden 
brook,  through  the  tangle  mingled  with  daisies  and 
buttercups,  I  lost  the  stream  entirely,  only  a  line  of 
gold  marking  its  sleepy  wanderings, — for  marsh  mari- 
golds were  still  plentiful  here,  ever  following  the  edges 
of  the  brook. 

Hellebore  grew  over  the  swamp,  and  the  tall  grasses 
took  on  coarser  forms  as  I  waded  farther  on,  deeper 
and  deeper  into  the  sphagnous  grave  of  the  ancient 
lake.  At  times  it  seemed  so  soft  and  spongy  that 
I  questioned  my  safety,  even  doubting  the  possibility 


The  Fleur-de-Lis.      (Ins  ivnsicolor.) 


The  Dogs  of  Etchowo^  29 

of  a  search  party  securing  my  "  embalmed  heart,"  if 
once  I  became  fast  in  the  mud,  so  I  began  to  edge  up 
toward  firmer  ground  and  the  rocky  hills  near  by. 

This  was  the  most  uncertain  swamp  I  had  ever 
traversed,  and  not  quite  safe  for  one  to  wade  through 
alone.  It  is  reputed  to  have  been  at  one  time  the  bed 
of  a  great  lake,  as  evidenced  by  the  terraced  hillsides 
about  it.  Its  waters  might  still  linger  beneath  the 
black-peat  and  forest  debris  which  support  the  trees 
and  spongy  sphagnum.  However,  a  fence  closed  ofiF 
the  most  dangerous  parts  of  the  bog  to  keep  back  the 
cows  from  the  mire  and  "  dead  holes,"  as  the  un- 
fathomable places  are  designated  by  the  lads  who 
penetrate  these  bogs  for  the  marsh  cranberries  in  the 
autumn. 

I  searched  through  this  meadow  for  the  Large  Purple- 
Fringed  Oxc\\\s,{Habenana  grandiflord) ,  thinking  per- 
haps I  might  find  the  leaves,  although  I  was  somewhat 
too  early  to  secure  the  flowers,  since  they  are  not  due 
until  June  20th  and  later. 

On  striking  out  for  the  hillside  path,  I  found  many 
problems  to  solve.  It  appeared  impossible  to  gain  a 
firm  or  safe  footing  in  the  sphagnum  and  mud,  so  se- 
curing a  fence  board  which  had  been  hurled  about  the 
marsh  by  the  winds  and  storms,  I  slapped  it  down  upon 
the  soft  earth  and  moss,  and  walked  its  length  of  eight 
feet.  Then  quickly  relaying  it,  while  my  feet  sank 
lower  and  lower  in  the  moss,  I  hastened  to  pull  out  my 
muddy  footgear  and  walked  the  length  of  my  bridge 
once  more, — repeating  this  perilous  feat  several  times, 


2,0  Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

until  I  had  finall}'  crossed  the  "  dead  hole  "  and  stood 
on  ierra  firma  once  more. 

There  is  certainly  no  experience  like  being  stuck  in 
a  bog  to  arouse  fearful  forebodings.  The  discouraging 
eflfort  to  keep  one  foot  above  the  ground  only  to  find 
the  other  sinking  deeper  is  most  terrifying,  and  leads 
to  hasty  and  excited  movements  which  but  increase 
the  danger,  and  may  finally  lodge  both  feet  fast  in  the 
mud.  In  such  a  case  the  sight  of  a  board  fence  upon 
which  an  elbow  may  be  rested  is  as  welcome  as  a  sail 
to  a  ship- wrecked  mariner.  There  is  in  truth  much  art 
and  science  in  walking  safely  through  mud  and  sphag- 
num. One  cannot  saunter  over  the  surface,  and  meditate 
at  ease,  but  one  must  be  ever  alert,  elastic  as  a  rubber 
ball,  and  quick  to  feel  a  danger  before  it  can  be  seen. 

The  fields  and  woods  are  a  good  deal  like  the  books 
we  read:  the  more  we  become  familiar  with  printed 
page  or  forest  path,  the  oftener  we  return  to  certain 
thoughts  and  trails  that  lead  us  back  to  scenes  and  as- 
sociations enjoyed  before.  I  like  to  mark  passages  in 
books  I  love,  here  and  there,  as  I  would  blaze  a  tree  to 
guide  me  to  the  haunt  of  a  cool  stream  or  a  rare  flower's 
hiding-place.  Whenever  I  turn  to  such  passages,  I 
find  that  time  and  season  have  expanded  some  new 
thought  in  my  mind,  even  as  they  have  developed 
the  buds  to  full-grown  flowers  since  my  first  journey 
through  the  wood^ 

There  is  a  beautiful  cold  spring  under  the  hill  near 
the  swamps  of  Etchowog.  I  have  known  of  it  all 
my  life,  and  were  I  to  visit  this  region  every  day  for 


W    -5  H 


•S  5 


THe  Bo^s  of  ErtcHo^vo^  31 

months,  I  should  invariably  be  drawn  unconsciously  to 
this  fountain.  It  is  here  that  I  quench  my  thirst  and 
rest  after  wading  through  the  neighboring  swamps.  I 
have  turned  many  stones  here  in  the  past,  and  lifted 
the  dead  leaves  from  the  choking  throat  of  the  spring. 
I  have  gathered  the  sundew  growing  in  tlie  moss 
fringing  the  banks  ;  and  in  the  sweet  solitude  and 
peace  I  have  dreamed  many  dreams,  inextricably  min- 
gled with  the  music  of  the  stream. 

To-day  I  sought  this  spring  to  rest.  I  bathed  my 
face  and  combed  my  hair  over  Nature's  own  mirror, 
after  taking  a  generous  draught  from  the  sparkling 
water.  It  bubbles  and  gushes  continuously  from  under 
the  rocky  hillside,  bringing  sand  and  delicate-hued 
pebbles  to  scatter  in  the  bottom  of  its  bowl  the  year 
round,  I  rested  here  a  full  hour,  and  rinsed  the  mud 
cflf  my  boots. 

From  here  it  is  but  a  short  walk  to  Barber's  Mill  at 
the  foot  of  Pownal  Pond.  Alders,  willows,  shad-bushes 
and  pink  azaleas,  small  white  birches,  tamaracks, 
pines,  and  beautiful  swamp  or  soft  maples  fill  the  broad 
expanse  of  marsh-land  to  the  right;  while  the  rocky, 
burnt-over,  and  blackened  hillside  rises  up  to  the  left. 
I  was  tempted  into  the  deeper  underbrush,  but  pro- 
ceeded very  slowly,  as  the  treacherous  bog  was  so 
spongy  with  sphagnum  that  I  would  often  sink  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  inches  into  its  soft,  pink  depths.  But 
here  I  felt  secure,  since  there  were  many  fallen  trees 
and  growing  saplings  to  which  I  could  hold  and  cling, 
in  case  I  stepped  into  a  "  dead  hole." 


32  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Here,  half  buried  in  the  moss,  I  found  hundreds  of 
crimson-veined  Pitcher  Plants,  or  Side-Saddle  Flowers 
{Sarracenia  purpurea) ,  which  bear  olive-green,  purple- 
veined,  vase-like  leaves  that  hold  rain  and  dew.  Often 
the  species  varies  in  color,  and  its  absolute  greenish- 
5'ellow  with  lighter  green  veinings.  Many  of  the 
larger  pitchers  hold  fully  a  tumbler  of  fluid.  Their 
brilliant-hued  brims  are  edged  with  crimson  ridges, 
delicately  coated  with  honey,  thus  enticing  flies  and 
moths  to  drink  from  the  nectar  beyond  the  brim.  The 
more  common  prisoners  are  small  flies  and  moths,  but 
one  day  I  found  two  dozen  snails  captive  in  the  larger 
leaves  of  an  ancient  plant,  for  if  once  within,  there  is 
no  escape  even  for  snails.  Consequently  the  Pitcher 
Plants — locally  called  St.  Jacob's  Dippers  and  Dumb 
Watches  by  the  children — are  considered  carnivorous 
plants,  since  they  are  flesh-eating  by  nature.  This  is 
also  true  of  the  small  Round-leaved  Sundew  {Drosera 
rotiindifolid). 

These  plants  are  traps  that  not  only  cunningly  entice, 
but  actually  entrap  and  slowly  devour  their  victims. 
Sundew  delights  in  being  fed  beefsteak,  and  Professor 
Bailey  cites  Darwin's  experiment  of  feeding  them 
steak,  which  "  they  accepted  as  readily  as  an  insect."  ' 
The  Sundew  is  plentiful  in  these  mossy  bogs.  It  has 
red  and  white,  dewy,  bristling,  round  leaves,  with 
long  petioles  spreading  in  a  tuft.  When  a  small  fly  or 
ant  touches  these  sticky  bristles  or  tentacles  on  the 
upper  face  of  the  leaf,  the  points  of  the  outer  row 
'  L.  H.  Bailey,  Jr.,  Talks  Afield,  p.  128.     1885, 


Round-Leaved  Sundew.      {Droscra  rolnndijolia.) 


The  Bog's  of  Etchowog  33 

slowly  turn  inward,  holding  their  prey  closely  until  it 
is  dead. 

Like  the  enticing  honey  of  the  Pitcher  Plant,  the 
viscid  fluid  of  the  Sundew  attracts  the  flies,  and,  once 
alighted  upon  it,  they  become  entangled  and  doomed 
to  certain  death.  After  drawing  the  juices  from  their 
victim  or  bits  of  steak,  they  relax  and  slowly  regain 
their  normal  positions.  The  glands  of  these  leaves 
send  out  drops  of  a  clean,  sticky  fluid  which  glitter  like 
dew  drops  in  the  sunlight.  The  plant  sends  up  a  short 
spike  of  insignificant,  whitish-green,  bud-like  flowers, 
which  are  said  to  open  briefly  one  by  one  in  their  turn, 
each  morning  in  the  sunshine,  till  the  whole  spike  has 
unfolded.  Each  flower  turns  browai  and  fades  before 
the  successive  bud  unfolds,  so  that  there  is  never  more 
than  one  full-grown  flower  to  be  seen  at  a  time.  This 
is  not  the  case  with  the  flowers  of  the  Pitcher  Plant.  I 
found  many  crimson,  ball-like  buds  sleeping  tucked  up 
in  their  mossy  beds.  They  would  be  in  their  prime  in 
a  week  or  ten  days. 

Here  I  discovered  some  fine  specimens  of  the  Pink 
Moccasin-Flower,  and  I  was  just  about  to  pluck  one, 
when  behold — stretching  at  full  length,  basking  in  the 
sunshine  on  one  of  those  sphagnous  stump  mounds, 
lay  a  snake,  very  near  the  coveted  blossom.  He  may 
have  been  black  or  he  may  have  been  checkered  or 
variegated  and  even  charming  and  beautiful  to  the 
snake-hunter,  but  to  the  orchid-hunter  he  was  not  a 
prize  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  vasculum.  I  did  not 
wait  to  study  or  designate  him  or  count  his  diamonds, 


34  Bog'-Trottin^  for  Orchids 

but  softly  stole  away,  leaving  him  still  cunningly  sleep- 
ing, in  waiting  for  prey,  beside  that  gorgeous  Moccasin- 
Flower. 

I  now  regarded  with  suspicion  all  the  holes  in  the 
soft  mounds  of  moss,  as  the  possible  homes  of  snakes, 
that  might  object  to  visitors  in  their  Eden,  Immense 
ant-hills  were  numerous,  and  the  occupants  may  have 
aflforded  food  for  Satan's  prototype  in  his  idle  hours. 
Now  and  then  the  drum  of  a  frightened  partridge,  giv- 
ing her  alarum,  assured  me  that  her  brood  of  chickens 
was  hidden  under  the  leaves  and  logs  not  far  distant. 
It  is  very  probable  that  snakes  in  these  bogs  devour 
small  birds  and  frogs,  and  lie  in  wait  for  them,  as  I 
found  the  one  that  I  had  seen  this  morning. 

Before  continuing  my  search,  I  secured  a  hardwood 
staff,  feeling  safer  with  a  cudgel  of  some  kind  in  my 
hand,  in  case  I  met  Satan  face  to  face.  In  my  tussle 
to  sever  the  birch  limb  from  the  green  tree,  I  snapped 
oflf  all  the  Venus  Slippers  that  I  had  actually  gathered 
here.  I  was  therefore  no  richer  in  actual  specimens 
upon  my  departure  from  the  swamp  than  when  I  en- 
tered it;  but  I  carried  away  memories  of  that  vast  soli- 
tude and  slumbering  desolation  where  foot  of  man,  I 
dare  say,  has  seldom  if  ever  been. 

Now  well  out  of  this  swamp,  I  found  myself  on  the 
edge  of  an  apple  orchard,  filled  with  rosy  bloom  and 
the  fragrance  of  happy  May.  A  newly  planted  garden 
bore  witness  to  human  life,  and  the  long  rows  of  potato- 
hills  spoke  of  industry.  Passing  through  the  gate,  I 
entered  the  East  Pownal  Road  near  the  mill,  and  walk- 


i  I 


lO  o  o  t- 


o    "^   5  ■:= 


^  '    E  2  -^  §1 

§    1    ^    s  -2  "2 

s  S  •!  ^o  i3  -^ 


TKe  Bo^s  of  ErtcHowo^  35 

ing  down  the  bank  to  the  right,  just  north  of  the  mill, 
where  cobblestones  had  been  dumped  from  the  fields,  I 
picked  my  way  into  the  open  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  which 
lie  directly  east  of  the  pond, 

I  wandered  up  and  down  through  this  swamp, 
finding  hundreds  of  Pitcher  Plants,  which  had  begun 
to  nod  their  crimson  buds.  Clusters  of  the  Showy 
Lady's  Slippers  were  springing  up  on  the  higher, 
drier  mounds  among  the  lily  leaves  of  Clintonia 
borealis  and  Dog's  Tooth.  Fleur-de-lis  grew  every- 
where, while  the  Poison  Ivy  flaunted  its  three-fingered 
palm  on  every  side.  Poison  Sumach  or  Poison  Dog- 
wood, sometimes  known  as  Poison  Elder,  grows 
luxuriantly  in  this  swamp,  and  susceptible  people  have 
been  poisoned  merely  by  passing  above  along  the  road- 
side. By  wearing  high  hunting-boots  and  rubber  or 
chamois  gloves,  however,  I  am  perfectly  safe  in  such 
places.  In  fact,  I  never  think  of  these  plants  as  poison- 
ous when  brushing  through  the  tangles  of  bushes  and 
blossoming  vines.  These  species  of  Rhus  are  in  blos- 
som most  of  the  summer.  The  juice  of  the  plant  is 
resinous,  and  the  fruit  consists  of  white  or  dun-colored 
berries. 

Going  back  to  the  roadside  to  rest,  I  took  out  my 
color-box  and  attempted  to  sketch  the  swamp  I  had 
just  left.  Eastward,  rising  boldly  in  the  background, 
towered  the  Majestic  Dome  against  the  sky.  In  the 
middle  distance,  a  long  line  of  alders  and  willow  shrubs 
blended  softly  into  the  blues,  here  and  there  dashed 
with  the  crimson  and  gold  swamp-maple  buds;  while 


36  Dog'-Trotting  for  Orchids 

still  nearer,  amid  the  low,  grassy  reeds  and  poison 
sumachs  of  the  wet  swamp,  three  tall,  stately  pines 
reared  their  shaggy  green  forms  against  the  dark  blue 
tones  of  the  mountains,  lending  strength  and  balance 
to  the  scene. 

My  day  nearly  spent,  I  packed  away  my  colors,  and 
started  on  my  return  trip,  leaving  the  mill  at  the  bend 
of  the  road  at  three  o'clock.  Just  above  the  Kimball 
Farm,  I  came  to  a  pent-road  leading  through  the 
pastures  to  Ball  Brook  Farm,  where  I  must  go  to  get 
my  Moccasin-Flowers,  left  hidden  in  the  stream.  I 
found  them  as  fresh  and  fragrant  as  if  just  gathered. 

The  walking  was  good,  so  I  exchanged  my  high, 
heavy  boots  for  low  shoes,  which  were  much  more 
comfortable  for  dry  paths  and  climbing  hillside  roads. 

Going  directly  up  through  the  cow-pastures  along 
the  border  of  the  Glen  of  Comus,  I  came  upon  a  colony 
of  Pink  Moccasin-Flowers,  growing  on  a  sloping  hill- 
side under  low-spreading  pines  and  birches.  Although 
the  spot  was  shaded,  many  flowers  were  unfolding,  but 
they  were  not  so  deep  in  color  as  time  and  sunshine 
would  paint  them.  I  counted  at  least  two  hundred 
buds  and  blossoms,  thinking  what  a  feast  for  the  eyes  I 
should  have  another  day,  when  they  were  in  their 
prime. 

lyater,  as  I  turned  into  the  Centre  Road,  I  met 
Lorenna,  one  of  the  school  children  in  District  Four- 
teen. She,  too,  had  her  hands  full  of  flowers.  I 
asked  her  to  keep  a  lookout  for  strange,  small  Moc- 
casin-Flowers, hoping  thereby  that  she  might  find  the 


-^%     \ 
O     O     u 

ts    J3   'o 


>"  -d  Q- 

C     ^  > 

ft  §  2 

5i^  ^ 


II 


The  Bogs  of  Htchowog  37 

rare  little  Rani's-Head  {Cypripcdium  arietinuni),  for 
which  I  have  so  hopefully  searched  these  woods  in 
vain.  I  had  found  thus  far  all  the  representative 
species  of  the  Moccasin-Flowers  of  this  State,  save  the 
rarer  Rani's-Head. 

The  name  Ram's-Head  arose  from  the  resemblance 
of  this  flower  to  that  of  a  sheep's  or  ram's  head,  the 
conical  or  pouched-shaped  shoe  serving  in  certain  po- 
sitions to  remind  the  early  Canadian  children  of  the 
noses  of  frisky  lambs'  heads,  while  the  twistings  of  both 
sepals  and  petals  answered  for  the  ram's  horns.  This 
rare  species  was  first  collected  in  Canada  near  Montreal 
before  1808.  In  that  year  it  was  transplanted  to  Eng- 
lish gardens  by  Messrs.  Chandler  and  Buckingham, 
where  they  had  opportunity  to  study  it  closely.  For 
some  time  it  was  known  as  Chandler's  Cypripedium. 
Finally,  Mr.  Robert  Brown  of  England  published  a 
description  of  North  American  Orchids  in  Alton's 
Catalogue  of  Plants,  in  1813,  and  he  must  have  learned 
what  the  children  first  named  it  in  Canada  and  Ver- 
mont, for  he  gave  it  the  L^atin  name,  Cypripedium  arie- 
timim,  which  it  has  ever  since  borne  in  the  science. 
Afietinum  signifies  shaped  like  a  ram's  head,  and  so 
one  readily  observes  how  the  common  names  of  plants 
suggest  to  the  botanist  the  origin  of  the  strange  Latin 
names,  which  are  in  one  sense  but  the  explanations  of 
the  common  names. 

I  told  lyorenna  the  story  of  this  stray  lamb,  and  she 
was  as  eager  to  find  its  trail  as  I  was.  The  plant  is 
shy  at  best,  the  flowers  being  of  the  most  inconspicuous 


38  Dog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

purple  and  white  shades,  found  iu  cedar  swamps  and  on 
the  drier  hillsides  in  mixed  wood,  of  pine,  chestnut, 
and  birch.  Truth  to  tell,  I  was  not  familiar  with  the 
appearance  of  the  plant,  nor  did  I  know  at  what  date 
to  search  for  the  blossoms. 

After  leaving  Lorenna,  I  followed  the  road  home- 
ward, reaching  Mount  CEta  at  six  o'clock,  somewhat 
dusty  and  ragged  and  tired.  Old  Bonny  and  the  buggy 
were  now  suggested  as  assistants  in  my  trips,  when  the 
folk  observed  my  load  of  herbs  and  flowers.  But  bog- 
trotting  in  a  buggy  is  certainly  beyond  the  limits  of  my 
imagination.  It  did,  however,  at  that  tired  moment 
seem  a  favorable  project,  for  Bonny  and  the  buggy 
could  wait  for  me  by  the  roadside  while  I  plunged  into 
the  marshes  to  secure  my  treasures. 

It  is  true,  as  Thoreau  writes:  "we  are  but  faint- 
hearted crusaders,  even  the  walkers,  nowadays,  who 
undertake  no  persevering,  never-ending  enterprises. 
Our  expeditions  are  but  tours,  and  come  round  again 
at  evening  to  the  old  hearth-side,  from  which  we  set 
out.  Half  the  walk  is  but  retracing  our  steps."  ' 
'  Thoreau,  "Walking,"  Excursions,  p.  252. 


Ill 

The  Haunts  of  the  Ram's-Head 
Moccasin-Floiwers 

I  call  the  old  time  back :  I  bring  ray  lay 
In  tender  memory  of  the  summer  day 
When,  where  our  native  river  lapsed  away, 
We  dreamed  it  over,  while  the  thrushes  made 
Songs  of  their  own,  and  the  great  pine-trees  laid 
On  warm  noonlights  the  masses  of  their  shade. 

WhiTTier,  Mabel  Martin. 

THE  following  morning,  after  my  strenuous  ex- 
cursion through  the  swamps  of  Etchowog,  I 
was  somewhat  tired  and  stiffened,  but  still 
ready  for  a  journey  which  must  be  made  to 
North  Adams,  a  distance  of  ten  miles  from  Mount 
CEta.  As  it  was  Saturday,  Lorenna's  mother  would 
soon  be  passing  over  the  hill  on  her  way  to  that  city, 
with  butter  and  eggs,  so  I  decided  to  accompany  her. 
Lorenna's  mother,  formerly  a  teacher  in  District  Four- 
teen in  the  neighborhood,  had  always  considered  my 
propensity  for  tramping  through  these  bogs  and  wood- 
lands, searching  for  flowers,  as  rather  "  queer."  This 
habit,  coupled  with  my  fondness  for  the  poets,  led  her 
to  believe  I  had  sustained  some  great  sorrow, — perhaps 
the  loss  of  a  lover, — and  in  those  early  days  she  in- 
variably eyed  me  closely  through  her  green  goggles 
39 


40  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

as  I  met  her  on  the  road.  My  evident  annoyance  and 
embarrassment  under  this  scrutiny  probably  confirmed 
her  suspicions.  Nevertheless,  she  so  far  forgot  her 
interest  in  this  subject  as  to  tell  me  to-day  that 
I^orenna,  on  her  way  home  with  the  cows  the  night 
previous,  had  found  one  of  the  strangest  little  flowers. 
None  of  them  had  ever  seen  the  blossom  before,  nor  did 
they  know  its  name.  She  felt  sure,  however,  that  it 
belonged  to  the  Nervine  Family, — as  they  locally  call 
the  Moccasin-Flowers  in  many  New  England  towns, 
— from  the  leaves  and  the  little  shoe-shaped  flower. 

That  evening,  as  soon  as  the  sun  sank  in  the  west, 
and  the  cool  hours  of  twilight  came,  I  sought  lyorenna's 
house  in  the  vale  below  Mount  CBta.  As  I  sauntered 
through  the  fields,  the  distant  sounds  of  Pownal's 
church  bells  and  the  barking  of  dogs  and  the  rolling 
wheels  of  the  home-coming  farmers'  wagons  arose 
from  the  valley. 

Under  my  arm  I  had  tucked  Baldwin's  Orchids  of 
New  England,  a  book  which  I  had  drawn  from  the 
North  Adams  Library,  with  permission  to  keep  it  as 
long  as  I  desired,  the  calls  for  such  books  being  very 
infrequent.  This  work  contains  many  illustrations  of 
species  of  orchids  found  in  the  New  England  States, 
and  more  especially  in  Vermont,  the  author  having 
made  his  excursions  and  collections  of  species  near 
Burlington,  in  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  State. 
Among  the  sketches  is  one  of  the  Ram's-Head  Cypri- 
pedium,'   the   species   having   been  collected   by  him 

'  Henry  Baldwin,  Orchids  of  New  England,  Plate  8,  1894. 


Kam's-Head  Moccasin-Flo^wers 


41 


in  cedar  wood,  in  the  neighborhood  of  BurHngton, 
where  he  reports  a  colony  of  twenty  plants." 

Arriving  at  Lorenna's  home,  my  hopes  were  realized, 
and  I  was  introduced  to  the  first  fresh  specimen  I  had 
ever  seen  of  the  Cypripcdium  arictinum.  I^ater  I  was 
shown  the  spot  where  the  flower  grew.  I  was  hoping 
to  find  several  plants,  but  was  disappointed.  I  studied 
the  soil  and  locality,  however,  which  gave  me  the  clue 
for  fresh  trails.  We  had  followed  a  winding  wood- 
road  that  led  from  the  Centre  Road  into  the  deep  pine 
forests  on  the  Amidon  Farm,  where  the  ground  was 
strewn  with  piny  needles  and  glittering  with  the  Stars- 
of-Bethlehem,  Goldthread  blossoms,  and  the  Painted 
Wake  Robins.  The  broken  stem  that  had  borne  the 
conical  shoe  stood  on  a  rocky  hillside,  at  the  base  of  a 
chestnut  tree.  A  dwarfed  pine  seedling  was  also  strug- 
gling to  grow  in  the  hard  soil,  among  the  fibrous  roots 
of  the  Ram's-Head.  The  two  had  probably  taken  root 
there  at  the  same  time.  We  marked  the  spot,  and 
sheltered  the  plant  from  the  browsings  of  cows,  by 
planting  dead  twigs  near  it. 

Before  the  evening  was  ended,  Lorenna's  mother  had 
discovered  that  others  besides  myself  must  have  made 
excursions  afield  and  abog  for  flowers  and  herbs,  and 
no  doubt  at  some  time  in  their  lives  must  have  also 
read  poetry  and  made  sketches.  She  became  very 
much  in  earnest  over  a  text-book  on  botany,  and  de- 
sired Lorenna  to  have  a  child's  manual. 

Baldwin  writes  of  the  Ram's-Head  Cypripcdium  : 
'  Heury  Baldwin,  Orchids  of  New  Englatid,  p.  38,  1894. 


42  Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

"In  Northern  New  England,  one  is  sometimes  fortunate 
enough  to  gather  with  the  Yellow  Lady's  Slippers, 
especially  with  the  dwarf  species,  the  Ram's-Head 
Lady's  Slipper  {Cypripedium  arietinum),  the  rarest 
species  North  America  produces,  and  to  me,  the  most 
attractive."  ' 

The  flower  is  peculiarly  conical  in  shape  and  slightly 
fragrant.  Baldwin  was  the  first  botanist  to  discover  a 
"musk-like  odor"  to  the  roots  of  this  plant,  which  I 
also  have  observed.  The  structure  of  this  species 
dijEfers  from  all  other  known  Cypripediums  by  pro- 
ducing six  distinct  parts  to  its  perianth,  all  the  sepals 
being  free  to  the  base.  There  is  in  the  regular  struct- 
ure of  Cypripediums  a  union  of  the  two  lower  sepals, 
usually  showing  a  bifid  condition  at  the  apex,  when 
not  perfectly  united,  as  shown,  if  closely  studied,  in 
some  of  the  accompanying  illustrations. 

The  brown-pink  sepals  of  the  Ram's-Head  are  all  free, 
and,  twisting  gracefully,  remind  one  of  the  horns  of 
a  sheep's  or  ram's  head,  while  the  apex  of  the  labellum 
serves  for  the  nose.  The  labellum  is  of  a  dull  purplish 
color,  mottled  or  checked  with  white  veins  upon  the 
crest  of  the  shoe.  The  apex  or  toe  is  of  a  dull  brown- 
ish green,  the  orifice  of  the  labellum  is  triangular,  filled 
with  downy  white  hairs,  and  not  large  enough  to  admit 
a  baby's  finger-tip.  The  flower,  however,  varies,  as 
does  also  the  plant,  in  size,  according  to  the  soil  and 
the  age  of  plant,  those  found  in  damp  cedar  swamps 
being -a  foot  or  more  in  height,  adorned  with  large 

'  Henry  Baldwiu's  Orchids  of  A^ew  England,  p.  37,  1884. 


The  Ram's-Head  Lady's  Slipper.      (Cypripcdium  arictinum.) 
In  different  positions  this  flower  suggests  a  ram's  head. 


Kain*s-Head  Moccasin-Flowers     43 

flowers,  while  those  along  the  hillsides  are  from  six 
to  ten  inches  high. 

This  rare  orchid  is  seldom,  if  ever,  collected  by 
botanists.  It  is  one  of  the  smallest  Moccasin-Flowers 
found  in  the  Northern  Atlantic  Region.  The  pigmy 
of  the  genus  is  Cypripedium  fasdculatimi,  found  under 
young  Conifers  in  open  woods  in  the  swamp  regions 
of  northern  California,  along  the  Pacific  slope,  exclu- 
sively west  of  the  Continental  Divide.  The  Cypripedia 
found  in  the  Pacific  Region  are  very  different  from  those 
of  the  Atlantic,  Cypripedium  Califoniicum,  for  instance, 
producing  a  simple  raceme  bearing  from  three  to  twelve 
flowers,  all  emerging  from  the  axils  of  leafy  bracts,  the 
stem  often  growing  four  feet  high.  The  shoe-shaped 
flowers  resemble  miniature  blossoms  of  our  eastern 
Cypripedium  regina  in  color  and  structure  of  sepals  and 
petals. 

The  Ram's-Head  Cypripedium  is  certainly  one  of  the 
rarest  species  on  the  continent,  and  appears  to  be  more 
plentiful,  if  this  word  can  be  used  of  so  scarce  a  flower, 
in  the  State  of  Vermont  than  in  any  other  region  that 
has  been  reported  in  its  continental  range.  It  grows 
in  low,  damp  marl  and  peat  swamps. 


IV 

TKe  Stolen  Moccasins 

Woodlauds,  green  and  gay  with  dew, 
Here,  to-day,  I  pledge  anew 
All  the  love  I  gave  to  you. 

Alice;  Gary,  A  Lesson. 

WHETHER    the  season   is   premature  or 
backward,  the  Moccasin-Flowers  always 
appear  at  the  same  date,  along  with  the 
Painted  and  Crimson  Trilliums,  in  the 
warm    Glen  of  Comus.     I  am  sure  of  finding  these 
flowers  unfolding,   the  week  previous   to    Decoration 
Day,  from  the  20th  to  the  28th  of  May. 

On  the  30th  of  May,  four  days  after  I  had  discovered 
the  famous  two  hundred  Pink  Moccasin  buds  on  the 
hillside  above  the  Glen  of  Comus,  I  imagined  now 
that  they  must  be  in  full  array,  wearing  the  rich  hues 
of  magenta  and  all  the  delicate  tints  of  green,  white, 
and  pink.  When  once  fully  unfolded  they  change 
color  very  rapidly.  Late  in  the  afternoon  I  entered 
the  edge  of  the  Swamp  of  Oracles  in  District  Fourteen, 
north  of  the  schoolhouse.  My  hound  was  my  sole 
companion,  and  I  heard  him  in  the  distance  making 
friends  with  children,  whose  voices  came  echoing  from 
the  direction  of  my  fairy-land  of  Moccasins.  A  fore- 
44 


THe  Stolen  Moccasins  45 

boding  that  all  its  beauty  had  been  plundered  took 
possession  of  me,  for  I  knew  that  children  are  instinc- 
tively selfish  about  flowers,  and  pluck  every  blossom 
they  see,  even  though  they  may  throw  them  away 
afterward. 

I  picked  my  way  carefully  through  the  deeper 
swamp,  around  in  the  opposite  direction,  avoiding  thus 
the  children  whom  I  heard  approaching  by  way  of  the 
path,  their  arms  laden,  no  doubt,  with  the  blossoms  I 
sought  a  sight  of.  Later  my  worst  surmise  was  con- 
firmed. Not  one  Moccasin  hung  on  its  stem  to  tell  the 
tale  of  the  invasion.  Here  and  there  were  strewn 
bruised  leaves  and  stemless  blossoms,  prostrate  on  the 
hillside.  I  was  sorely  disappointed,  and  I  exclaimed 
aloud  to  the  echoing  wood  that  it  was  a  sin, — this  steal- 
ing all  the  flowers  and  leaving  none  to  mature  and 
develop  their  seed  pods  for  the  continuance  of  the 
species  to  be  enjoyed  by  future  generations.  "  And  if 
I  ever  get  hold  of  these  youngsters,"  I  cried,  "I  '11 
tell  them  why!  " 

The  "youngsters"  happened  to  be  cousins  of  mine 
who  had  caught  the  orchid  mania  from  me,  and  what 
to  them  had  always  appeared  ordinary  Indian  Moc- 
casins, or  Lady's  Slippers,  had  now  an  added  value 
and  charm,  since  they  were  understood  to  belong  to  the 
Orchid  Family,  The  very  hint  that  I  valued  them 
caused  strife  among  these  children,  eager  to  show  me 
how  many  they  also  could  gather  in  a  day.  As  such 
treasures,  they  gathered  them,  hurrying  homeward  to 
tell  me  how  many  rare  and  beautiful  orchids  they  had 


46  Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

found.  They  wondered  if  I  had  been  near  the  jungle, 
as  they  saw  Major,  my  hound,  during  the  afternoon. 
I  admired  their  blossoms,  now  drooping  and  wilted  and 
sadly  bruised,  but  I  never  told  them  just  where  I  had 
been,  nor  what  I  had  missed.  I  had  not  the  actual 
courage  to  scold  them,  since  I  had  set  the  example  for 
them,  but  although  I  find  many  flowers,  I  gather  at 
random  for  mere  pleasure  very  few.  Indeed,  there  is 
no  pleasure  in  making  desolate  these  choice  and  hidden 
retreats  of  Nature. 

There  are  laws  protecting  the  deer  in  the  Green 
Mountains  and  the  brook  trout  in  their  spawning 
season,  but  as  yet  there  is  no  legal  or  moral  protection 
to  shield  the  flowering  and  fruiting  season  of  rare 
flowers,  especially  orchids,  so  scarce  in  northern  New 
England.  Some  of  our  orchids  are  already  so  rare, 
that  in  localities  where,  only  a  few  years  ago,  I  found 
them  abundant,  to-day  hardly  a  trace  of  them  remains. 
They  have  suffered  from  school  children  and  commerce 
alike.  People  seek  them  selfishly  for  pleasure  and 
study,  while  the  drug  trade  demands  many  roots,  and 
places  fair  value  upon  them  as  an  inducement  to  col- 
lectors. These  roots  are  used  for  infusions,  tinctures, 
and  ointments, — a  primitive  Indian  custom  and  one 
which,  if  continued  on  the  present  scale,  must  in  time 
necessarily  cease,  through  extinction  of  the  rarer  and 
most  showy  species  of  our  native  orchids. 

The  country  folk  know  the  Lady's  Slippers  of  genus 
Cypripedhim  as  the  Nervine  Family,  valuing  them  as 
a  nerve  tonic.     I  have  met  a  man  who  makes  a  busi- 


THe  Stolen  Moccasins  47 

ness  of  following  trout  streams,  fishing  and  hunting 
through  the  swamps,  searching  for  frogs,  and  rare  roots 
and  herbs  in  their  season.  He  finds  ready  market  for 
Ginseng,  American  Ipecacuanha,  Hellebore,  or  Indian 
Poke,  from  which  is  obtained  a  powerful  cardiac  de- 
pressent,—  Verairum  viride,  and  species  of  Cypripedium 
also  produce  our  native  drug  American  valerian,  which 
takes  the  place  of  the  European  drug,  procured  from 
Valerian  offinciallis.  Snakeroot,  Dogwood,  and  various 
other  plants  afford  excellent  tonics.  One  can  readily 
understand,  as  Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson  re- 
marks, ' '  that  many  of  our  rarest  flowers  (in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Boston)  are  being  chased  into  the  very  recesses 
of  the  Green  and  White  Mountains.  The  relics  of 
the  Indian  tribes  are  supported  by  the  Legislature  at 
Martha's  Vineyard,  while  these  precursors  of  the 
Indians  are  dying  unfriended  away."  ' 

Where  years  ago  the  swamps  were  fairly  rose-purple 
with  waving  blossoms  of  the  Grass  Pink  {Limodorum 
tuberos7im)  and  Rose  Pogonia  or  Snake-Mouth  {Pogonia 
ophioglossoides),  this  year  I  found  so  few  that  I  could 
readily  count  them.  I  discovered  the  possible  secret 
of  this  extinction  in  the  fact  that  a  native  of  Etchowog 
was  offered  by  some  florist  or  gardener  fifty  cents  a 
bulb  or  plant  for  all  the  specimens  he  could  secure. 
This  was  an  inducement  for  the  vandal,  but  Nature 
cannot  restore  her  species  as  fast  as  man  can  uproot 
them  and  devastate  their  haunts.     Whether  this  is  the 

'  Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson,  The  Procession  of  the 
Flowers,  p.  47. 


48  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

true  cause  of  extinction  of  these  species  in  Pownal 
swamps  I  cannot  ascertain  be5'ond  this  inference ; 
however,  I  am  convinced  that  a  small  fortune  has 
disappeared,  estimated  on  the  lost  plants  at  fifty  cents 
each. 

Nearly  all  of  the  public  schools  are  instructing  the 
children  in  drawing, — teaching  them  to  study  the  wild 
flowers  as  they  find  each  in  its  season.  Educators  in 
all  nature  study  urge  the  children  to  bring  fresh  speci- 
mens, and  thus  unconsciously  encourage  the  extinction 
of  the  rare  species  of  plant  life  in  general.  The  chil- 
dren of  each  district  school  thus  hunting  over  a  limited 
area,  soon,  with  childish  strife,  collect  all  the  first  and 
fairest  flowers  in  their  path.  By  the  close  study  neces- 
sary, however,  for  the  child  to  produce  a  drawing  of  the 
flower  and  its  structural  parts,  a  valuable  lesson  may 
in  time  be  learned. 

The  story  of  fertilization,  the  necessity  of  the  flower's 
producing  seeds  in  order  to  continue  its  successive  gen- 
erations, will  not  be  forgotten  by  the  true  nature  stu- 
dent. But  if  the  teacher  were  able  to  designate  the 
rarer  plants  of  her  district,  and  teach  her  children  the 
fatal  results  of  continually  gathering  their  flowers,  she 
might  awaken  in  the  minds  of  the  young  people  a 
higher  reverence  for  the  blossoms  themselves,  and 
scruples  against  depriving  generations  of  children  to 
come  of  their  beauty. 

There  is  hardly  a  child  in  the  first  grade  in  our 
schools  who  cannot  tell  the  story  of  the  bee  and  the 
Moccasin-Flower,  and  why  the  wonderful  lines  and 


The  Pink   Moccasin-Fiower.      (Cypripedimn    acaiilc.) 
This  is  the  onlv  two-leaved  CyPripedtum  found  in  the  Atlantic  region      It  is  closely 
allied  wUh  Cypripcdium  ,u,tatum  of  Alaska  and  with  Cvpnpeduau   ^ascu:dat»m  ot 
the  Pacifie  slope.     It  is  the  most  common  species  of  this  genus. 


THe  Stolen  Moccasins  49 

dots  of  pink  and  gold  are  inside  the  downy  shoe,  in- 
stead of  making  the  outside  the  more  showy. 

The  first  Moccasin-Flower  which  I  found  in  Aurora's 
Bog  in  North  Adams  I  gave  to  Ray,  a  little  lad  of  my 
acquaintance,  and  he  happily  and  proudly  carried  it  to 
his  teacher.  When  he  came  home,  he  could  tell  me 
that  ah  these  inner  decorations  of  pink  and  gold  were 
dewy-tipped  with  sweets,  and  were  called  "Honey 
Guides,"  just  to  invite  bees  within.  And  that  al- 
though Master  Bee  goes  through  the  front  door  of  the 
Moccasin  cottage,  he  somehow  finds  it  locked  when  he 
wishes  to  escape,  so  in  his  excitement  has  to  squeeze 
through  the  small  back  door  next  to  the  pollen-masses. 
He  carries  forth  some  of  the  pollen,  and  thus  helps  to 
fertilize  the  next  blossom  of  this  species,  as  he  enters 
and  rubs  off  the  grains  of  pollen  on  the  adhesive  lobes 
of  the  viscid  stigma.  Insects  thus  are  not  permitted  to 
rob  the  flowers  of  nectar  and  pollen  without  making  a 
return  for  the  food  which  the  flower  yields  them. 

Were  it  not  for  the  bees  and  moths  and  various  flies, 
the  seeds  of  orchids  would  not  mature,  for  it  is  a  gen- 
erally accepted  fact  that  nearly  all  species  of  this 
family,  wherever  found  growing,  depend  upon  insect 
aid  for  fertilization  and  cross-fertilization.  With  the 
exception  of  one  or  two  North  American  species  of 
genus  Habenaria,  all  other  native  species  are  aided  by 
insects.  These  two  species,  Habenaria  hyperborea  and 
Habenaria  clavellata,  were,  according  to  both  Gray 
and  Darwin,  supposed  regularly  to  fertilize  themselves 
without  aid  of  insects. 


50  Do^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

As  the  spikes  of  the  Tall  Green  Orchis  {Habenaria 
hyperbored)  are  frequent  in  the  Pownal  swamps,  in 
company  with  the  Showy  Lady's  Slipper,  I  became 
interested  in  this  plant,  so  independent  of  Master  Bee 
or  Moth. 

Professor  Asa  Gray,  in  various  papers  on  fertilization 
of  our  native  orchids,  has  said  that  they  were  all 
arranged  for  fertilization  by  the  aid  of  insects,  and 
that  very  few  were  capable  of  unaided  self-fertilization. 
He  tested  several  species,  and  proved  that  it  might 
occur  by  accident,  but  in  general  his  two  self- fertilized 
species  of  Habcjiaria  were  still  an  unsolved  problem, 
as  later  developments  have  proven  in  the  case  of  his 
supposed  self-fertilized  species,  Habenaria  hypcrborea, 
which  he  asserted  "habitually  fertilized  itself."  At 
least  this  species,  although  it  may  be  fully  equipped  for 
self-fertilization,  has  been  reported  quite  recently  to  be 
visited  and  fertilized  by  mosquitoes,  proving  that  not  in 
all  instances  is  it  found  "  habitually  fertilizing  "  itself.' 

In  August,  1899,  Professor  C.  A.  Crandall,  of  the 
Agricultural  College  of  Colorado,  with  a  party  of 
tourists  camped  on  Medicine  Bow  Range,  in  that  State, 
at  an  altitude  of  10,200  feet,  and  observed  abnormally 
developed  mosquitoes  bearing  pollen-grains,  which  re- 
sembled those  of  Habenarea  hyperborea  ;  and  so  they 
proved  to  be,  by  subsequent  experiments  with  speci- 
mens of  this  orchis  gathered  from  a  bog  near  by  their 
camp.* 

'  Gray,  Fertilization  0/  Orchids,  in  Sill.Journ.  1862-1863. 
2  C.  A.  Crandall,  Plant  World,  p.  6.    Jan.,  1900. 


TKe  Stolen  Moccasins  51 

Another  species  of  this  genus,  which  is  almost  iden- 
tical with  the  Tall  Green  Habenaria  just  mentioned, 
differs  from  it  by  bearing  fragrant  white  flowers  not 
adjusted  for  self-fertilization.  This  beautiful  plant, 
Habeyiarea  dilatata,  grows  sparingly  in  the  choice 
haunts  of  the  deeper  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  seeking  fre- 
quently the  pools  near  cold  springs,  and  attracting  nu- 
merous flies  and  moths  by  its  rich  perfumes,  which  one 
scents  long  before  he  discovers  the  flowers  themselves. 

Darwin  mentions  ten  self-fertilized  species  of  orchids 
for  the  whole  world,  and  adds  to  that  list  ten  more 
which  were  partially  so,  in  case  the  proper  insects 
failed  to  visit  these  plants  in  season. 

He  again  asserts:  "  In  my  examination  of  orchids, 
hardly  any  fact  has  struck  me  so  much  as  the  endless 
diversities  of  the  structure,  —  the  prodigality  of  re- 
sources,— for  gaining  the  very  same  end,  namely,  the 
fertilization  of  one  flower  by  pollen  from  another  plant. 
This  fact  is  to  a  large  extent  intelligible  on  the  principle 
of  natural  selection."  ' 

Of  the  self- fertile  species,  Darwin  remarks:  "  It  de- 
serves especial  attention  that  the  flowers  of  all  self- fertile 
species  still  retain  various  structures  which,  it  is  im- 
possible to  doubt,  are  not  adapted  for  insuring  cross- 
fertilization,  though  they  are  now  rarely  or  never 
brought  into  play.  We  may  therefore  conclude  that 
all  these  plants  are  descended  from  species  or  varieties 
which  were  formerly  fertilized  by  insect  aid."  " 

'  Darwin,  Fertilization  of  Orchids,  p.  284.     1895. 
'^  Ibid.,  p.  291. 


52  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Darwin  believed  that,  ' '  bearing  also  in  mind  the  larger 
number  of  species  in  man}^  parts  of  the  world  which 
from  this  same  cause  are  seldom  impregnated,  we  are 
led  to  believe  that  the  self- fertilized  plants  formerly  de- 
pended on  the  visits  of  insects  for  their  fertilization, 
and  that,  from  such  visits  failing,  they  did  not  yield  a 
sufiiciency  of  seed  and  were  verging  towards  extinction. 
Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  probable  that  they 
were  gradually  modified,  so  as  to  become  more  or  less 
completely  self-fertile;  for  it  would  manifestly  be  more 
advantageous  to  a  plant  to  produce  self-fertilized  seeds 
rather  than  none  at  all  or  extremely  few  seeds."  ' 

Darwin  questions:  "  Whether  any  species  which  is 
now  never  cross-fertilized  will  be  able  to  resist  the  evil 
effects  of  long-continued  self-fertilization,  so  as  to  sur- 
vive for  as  long  an  average  period  as  the  other  species 
of  the  same  genera  which  are  habitually  cross-fertilized, 
cannot  of  course  be  told.  .  .  .  It  is  indeed  possible 
that  these  self-fertile  species  may  revert  in  the  course 
of  time  to  what  was  undoubtedly  their  pristine  con- 
dition, and  in  this  case  their  various  adaptations  for 
cross- fertilization  would  be  again  brought  into  action."  ° 

Indeed,  the  more  this  great  scientist  studied  these 
strange  flowers,  the  more  he  became  impressed,  and 
"  with  ever-increasing  force,  that  the  contrivances 
and  beautiful  adaptations  slowly  acquired  through  each 
part  occasionally  varying  in  a  slight  degree  but  in 
many  ways,  with  the  preservation  of  those  variations 
which  were  beneficial  to  the  organism  under  complex 

^  'Davw'm,  Fertilization  of  Orchids,-^.  2C)2.     1895.       ''Ibid. 


The  TaU  White  Northern  Orchis  (Hubeuaria  dihiUVa),    Near  Arethusa's  Spring, 
Bogs  of  Etchowog,  Pownal,  Vermont. 


THe  Stolen  Moccasins  53 

ami  ever-varying  conditions  of  life,  transcend  in  an  in- 
comparable manner  the  contrivances  and  adaptations 
which  the  most  fertile  imagination  of  man  could 
invent."  ' 

The  extinction  of  species  of  orchids  is  due  to  causes 
inharmonious  with  Nature,  therefore,  more  than  to  the 
failure  of  the  insects  in  fertilization  and  cross-fertiliza- 
tion. Man  and  his  bush-whack  and  bog-hoe  are  doing 
more  toward  the  extinction  of  our  rarer  species  of  all 
plant-life  in  their  continental  range  than  any  other 
natural  element,  in  the  swampy,  mountainous  districts 
of  the  East,  as  well  as  in  the  open  swells  on  the  prairies 
of  the  West. 

The  late  Grant  Allen  expressed  regret  that  the 
native  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper  of  England,  Cypripedhim 
calceohis,  "lingers  in  but  two  places,"  one  of  those 
stations  being  on  "a  single  estate  in  Durham,  where 
it  is  as  carefully  preserved  by  its  owner  as  if  it  were 
pheasants  or  fallow-deer. ' ' 

The  wind,  rains,  and  flowing  streams,  the  birds,  as 
well  as  migration  and  immigration  of  the  nations  over 
the  world,  are  ever  unconscious  bearers  of  the  seeds  of 
our  rare  flowers  and  common  dooryard  weeds  ;  yet 
for  the  rarer  species  Nature  is  indebted  to  the  insects 
for  the  important  process  of  cross-fertilization. 

In  country  towns  of  New  England,  where  sunmier 

resorts  for  tourists  are  numerous,  one  finds  youthful 

venders   selling   the   roots   of   the   Orchid  Family   to 

"  lovers  of  flowers,"  and  thus  even  the  lovers  of  Nature 

'  Darwin,  Fertilization  of  Orchids,  pp.  285-286.     1895. 


54  Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

aid  in  the  extinction  of  the  treasures  and  wealth  of  her 
soil. 

Species  of  Cypripedium  are  indeed  the  most  gorgeous 
among  our  native  orchids,  and  will  be  among  the  first 
of  the  family  to  become  extinct,  since  they  do  not  re- 
produce seedlings  abundantly,  even  in  their  most  choice 
haunts. 


TKe  Queen  of  tHe  Indian  Moccasin- 
rio"wers 

The  rounded  world  is  fair  to  see, 

Nine  times  folded  in  mystery  ; 

Though  baffled  seers  cannot  impart 

The  secret  of  its  laboring  heart, 

Throb  thine  with  Nature's  throbbing  breast, 

And  all  is  clear  from  east  to  west. 

Emerson,  Nature. 

BETWEEN  May  30th  and  June  8th,  I  made 
short  excursions  to  the  Bog  of  Oracles  above 
the  Glen  of  Comus.  On  the  latter  date  I 
found  my  first  blossoms  of  the  season,  of  the 
Showy  Queen  of  the  Moccasin- Flowers  {Cypripedium 
regm(z),  the  white  sepals  and  petals  standing  fully  un- 
furled, but  still  lacking  the  rich  magenta-pink  on  the 
crest  of  the  slippers  which  another  week's  time  would 
give  them.  One  feature  this  season,  among  these 
plants,  was  the  unusual  number  of  two  buds  on  a 
single  scape.  While  a  single  blossom  is  generally 
found  on  a  stalk,  I  discovered  now  that  nearly  every 
other  stem  bore  two  buds. 

At  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  place,  along  the 
edges  of  decaying  logs  on  the  borders  of  Ball  Brook, 
grew  the  spikes  of  the  Tall  Green  Orchis  {^Habenaria 


56  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

hyperborcd).  Its  greenish-yellow  color  is  conspicuously 
different  from  the  tones  of  its  distant  relative,  the 
showy,  white-petaled  queen  of  this  swamp.  Another 
spike  similar  to  that  of  the  Tall  Green  Orchis,  but 
short  and  smaller  in  every  way,  stood  near.  It  was 
not  so  tall  and  coarse  as  its  sister  species,  and  may 
have  been  a  stray  specimen  of  the  Tall  White  Habe- 
naria  {Habc7iaria  dilatatd).  These  two  species  are 
peculiar  in  appearance,  and  many  inexperienced  bog- 
hunters  would  pass  them  by  as  weeds,  and  homely 
weeds  at  that. 

Upon  closer  scrutiny,  the  peculiar  twisted  seed-pods 
of  these  flowers  suggest  a  rarity.  The  name  Habenaria 
signifies  "  a  rein  or  thong,"  derived  from  the  shape  of 
the  labellum  in  some  species  of  this  genus.  They  are 
often  also  called  "  Rein-Orchises." 

On  June  loth  I  drove  into  the  Chalk  Pond  region, 
on  the  "  Witch  Hollow,"  or  Gulf  Road  leading  to  the 
Centre-of-the-Town;  and  hitching  old  Bonny,  took  a 
circle  around'  the  peat  and  marl  meadows,  searching 
for  signs  of  the  Showy  Orchis  {Orchis  spedabih's),  a 
species  of  a  sister  genus  of  Habenaria.  The  Showy 
Orchis  is  due  here  about  May  25th,  the  date  on  which 
the  early  Moccasin-Flowers  awaken. 

Four  species  of  this  genus  unfold  upon  almost  the 
same  day.  The  Ram's-Head  Cypripedium  should 
bloom  first,  according  to  general  reports  of  botanists, 
the  Pink  Acaule  immediately  follows,  and  the  Larger 
Yellow  Moccasins,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  Small 
Yellow  Fragrant  Slippers  unlace  their  beautiful  twist- 


The  Showy  Orchis. 

The  first  orchid  of  the  spring,  found  ri' 
East  Pownal,  Vermont. 


(Orch  is  sfycctcibiUs.) 
ir  the  rocky  borders  of  Thompson's  Brook 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flcwers      57 

ing  petals.  The  Showy  Orchis  is  supposed  to  be  the 
first  orchid  of  the  spring  to  blossom  in  New  England. 

I  discovered  nothing  in  the  Chalk  Pond  meadows, 
however,  save  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  charming 
little  corners  in  the  town,  showing  deep  erosions 
about  its  terraced  basin,  proving  that  the  ice-currents 
of  the  past  flowed  through  these  gulfs  with  terrible 
force. 

I  have  found  the  Large  Yellow  Moccasin-Flower 
growing  in  close  relationship  with  the  dwarf  fragrant 
species  {Cypripedium  parviflorum)^  in  the  Swamp  of 
Oracles,  in  District  Fourteen,  about  May  25th;  while 
they  appear  later  in  the  upland  woods, — from  June  6th 
until  June  25th.  They  grow,  as  will  be  observed, 
along  high,  rocky  hillsides  as  well  as  in  damp,  sphag- 
nous  marshes.  The  upland  species  are  often  found  in 
open  clearings  on  hillsides,  among  the  dead  brushwood 
heaps,  where  grow  the  Maiden-Hair  and  Christmas 
Ferns.  Often  they  are  in  full  sight,  but  sometimes  they 
are  hidden  under  small  hazel-nut  bushes,  amid  sapling 
white  birches. 

There  seem  to  be  three  different  forms  of  the  Yellow 
Cypripediums,  although  there  are  but  two  accepted  dis- 
tinct North  American  species  north  of  Mexico;  these 
appear  also  to  intergrade  frequently.  Close  associa- 
tion of  habitat  has  probably  something  to  do  with  this 
cross- fertilization  of  the  two  species. 

Finding  the  two  marsh  plants,  Cypripedium  hirsii- 
tum  and  Cypripedium  parvijloriiiu,  growing  side  by 
side  in  the  Swamp  of  Oracles,  I  observed  a  marked 


58  Dog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

intergrading,  —  the  larger  species,  Cypripedium  Mr- 
sutum^  producing  variegated  sepals  and  petals,  or 
possibly  now  and  then  a  brown  -  pink  petal  or  sepal, 
imitating  the  type  species  of  the  smaller  Moccasin- 
Flower,  Both  species  were  fragrant  in  a  slight  degree, 
Cypripedium  parvifiorum  being,  of  course,  the  more 
fragrant  of  the  two. 

There  is  an  European  Yellow  Cypripedium  {Cypri- 
pedium calceolus)  which  is  almost  identical  with  the 
smaller  species  of  North  America,  Cypripedium  parvi- 
fiorum. As  early  as  1760,  Cypripedium  calceolus  was 
described  and  illustrated  in  color  in  Philip  Miller's 
Figures  of  Plants.  Linnaeus,  1740,  gave  the  European 
yellow  species  the  present  generic  and  specific  designa- 
tion. Any  history  relating  to  that  species  of  Lady's 
Slipper,  as  it  was  first  known  in  Europe  by  Dodoens 
as  early  as  16 16  under  the  title  of  Calceolus  Marianus, 
will  also  pertain  to  the  history  of  the  two  closely  allied 
Yellow  Cypripediums  found  in  North  America. 

The  common  English  name  "  Lady's  Slipper"  arose 
from  the  Latin  Mariatius,  referring  to  "  Our  Lady," 
the  Virgin  Mary,  while  Calceolus  is  the  Latin  for  shoe 
or  slipper.  Linnseus,  however,  in  1740,  being  a  de- 
vout Lutheran,  objected  to  this  species  being  dedicated 
to  the  Mother  of  Christ,  and  re-established  the  custom 
of  dedicating  the  names  of  flowers  to  gods  and  god- 
desses of  classical  mythology  known  before  Christ. 
The  origin  of  the  generic  name  Cypripedium  is  from 
the  two  Greek  words  Kvnpig^  an  ancient  name  for 
Venus,  and  nodiov,  a  sock,  btiskin,  or  slipper. 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flowers      59 

Venus,  in  classical  literature,  was  also  known  as 
"  Our  Lady,"  the  "  Divine  Mother"  of  the  Romans, 
so  that  the  common  name  has  never  in  reality  changed 
since  161 6,  when  it  was  first  applied  to  these  shoe- 
shaped  flowers  of  Europe,  in  honor  of  Mary,  "  Our 
Lady,"  the  "  Divine  Mother"  of  all  nations. 

The  Algonquin  Indians,  in  their  forests  of  Northeast- 
ern North  America,  saw  this  same  shoe-shape  resem- 
blance in  these  flowers,  and  called  them  Mawcahsun  or 
Makkasin- Flowers,  since  they  reminded  them  of  little 
Indian  Moccasins.  Thus  arose  the  common  name  In- 
dian Moccasin-Flowers  for  all  our  native  species  of 
Cypripedium.  Lady's  Slipper  is  distinctly  of  Euro- 
pean origin,  while  Moccasin-Flower  is  most  appropri- 
ately American,  since  this  name  was  given  by  the  first 
inhabitants  of  our  shores,  as  it  were,  in  mythological 
days.  May  the  name  of  the  Indian's  Moccasin-Flower 
pass  down  through  the  coming  centuries  in  honor  of 
a  race  that  will  disappear  long  before  these  flowers, 
which  they  christened  so  appropriately. 

I  have  never  thus  far  found  the  Dwarf  Fragrant 
Moccasin-Flower,  an  upland  flower,  which  Higginson 
describes  as  growing  on  the  "  Rattlesnake  Ledge"  on 
"  Tatessit  Hill,"'  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston. 
The  larger  yellow  species,  Cypripedhim  hirsutum, 
grows  in  the  Hoosac  Valley  high  on  the  steep  sides  of 
the  Domelet,  while  the  smaller  species  seeks  the  deep- 
est parts  of  the  Swamp  of  Oracles  and  Aurora's  Bog. 

'  Thomas  Weutworth  Higginson,  The  Procession  of  the 
Flowers,  p.  17. 


6o  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

I  have  collected  it  also  in  damp,  marshy  woods  in 
Mosholu,  near  New  York  City. 

The  Large  Yellow  Moccasin-Flower  seems,  of  the 
two  yellow  species,  the  more  generally  distributed  over 
the  continent,  although  most  botanists  state  that  the 
smaller  species  is  the  commoner.  The  dwarf  yellow 
species  is  certainly  the  rarer  plant  in  New  England. 
In  the  Hoosac  Valley,  particularly  in  Pownal  swamps, 
it  is  quite  as  rare  as  the  Ram's-Head  Cypripediura.  I 
have  discovered  only  one  swamp  here  where  it  grows. 

It  will  be  of  interest  to  make  note  of  two  species  of 
our  Eastern  Cypripediums,  which  extend  nearly  to  the 
Arctic  Circle  northward,  as  well  as  adjusting  them- 
selves southward  near  the  Tropic  of  Cancer.  One  of 
these  species  is  the  Large  Yellow  Moccasin-Flower, 
reported  as  found  associated  with  the  Pink  Acaule,  in 
latitude  54°  to  60°  North,  by  Dr.  John  Richardson  on 
Captain  Franklin's  journey  to  the  Arctic  lands  in 
1823.' 

Dr.  F.  Kurtz,  in  an  Arctic  Expedition  in  1882,  col- 
lected the  large  yellow  species,  Cypripeduun  hirsutum  ^ 
of  the  Atlantic  Region,  as  well  as  Cypripediicm  passer- 
inum,  which  is  endemic  only  to  the  Northern  Pacific 
Region.  Cypripedium  hirsutum  also  extends  from  New 
England  westward  much  farther  than  the  pink  species, 
Cypripedium  acaule.  The  dwarf  yellow,  Cypripedium 
parvijlorum,  closely  follows  the  larger  yellow  species 

'John  Richardson,  M.D.,  Bot.  Appendix,  Report  of  Fravk- 
lirt's  yourney,  2d  ed.,  p.  34,  1S23. 

2  Dr.  F.  Kurtz,  List  of  Alaskan  Orchids,  Expedition  1882. 


The  Small  Yellow  Fracr.uit  Moccasin-Floutr.  (Cypripedium  parviflorum.) 
The  only  really  fragrant  i  ypripcdtum  or  tiic  Atlantic  region,  closely  allied  w-ith 
Cypripedium  Montanum, — the  Fragrant  White  Lady's  Slipper  of  the  Pacific  slope. 
The  plate  shows  the  undulating  sepals  and  petals  as  well  as  their  rich  brown-pink 
coloring.  The  two  lower  sepals  are  imperfectly  united  and  arc  biud  at  the  apex. 
This  species  is  almost  identical  with  the  European  species  Cypripedium  calceolus, — 
the  first  Cypripedium  described  by  Linnuaes  in  1740-1753. 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flowers      6i 

both  southward  and  westward,  but  according  to  the 
stations  reported  to  the  author  for  the  continent,  it 
cannot  be  said  to  have  the  broader  range  of  the  two 
species. 

The  Dwarf  White  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripcdium 
candiduvi)  may  also  be  counted  with  Ram's- Head 
Cypripediuni  as  one  of  the  rare  species  of  the  Northern 
Atlantic  Region.  It  is  seldom  found  in  the  New  Eng- 
land States.  In  the  range  reported  to  the  author  for 
this  species,  there  is  but  one  New  England  station. 
This  has  been  given  by  A.  W.  Driggs  of  East  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut.'  This  orchid  belongs  more  espe- 
cially to  the  damp  swells  of  the  prairie.  It  is  very- 
similar  to  the  Dwarf  Yellow  Cypripedium,  except  in 
color,  and  like  it  produces  a  faint  fragrance.  This 
dainty  white  shoe  is  often  no  larger  than  the  tiny 
Ram's-Head  flower,  the  plant  being  about  six  to  ten 
inches  high,  bearing  small  waxen  shoes,  the  shape 
of  the  blossoms  of  Cypripcdium  parvifloriim.  I  have 
often  received  descriptions  from  country  lads,  suppos- 
edly of  these  White  Moccasin-Flowers,  only  to  find 
that  they  were  either  albinos,  or  bleached  out  and  pale 
specimens  of  the  gorgeous  colored  Cypripcdium  regi^icz. 
Often  the  latter  seem  pure  white  to  the  hurried  observer 
in  the  swamps,  for  the  albino  or  white  variety  rarely 
occurs.  I  found  one  plant,  however,  this  season  bear- 
ing two  blossoms,  the  first  I  ever  saw,  and  I  removed 
the  plant  to  watch  it  in  my  garden. 

After  Decoration  Day,  I  had  all  I  could  do  to  keep 
'  A.  W.  Driggs,  Catalogue  Plants  of  Co7inecticut,  p.  19.    1901. 


62  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

pace  with  the  unfolding  flowers  in  the  woods  on 
Mount  (Eta.  In  the  Chestnut  Woods  and  Rattle- 
snake Swamp  region,  near  Lloyd  Spring,  and  along  the 
mountain  sides  of  the  Knubble  and  Domelet,  I  found 
beautiful  azalea  shrubs  laden  with  luxuriant  clusters 
of  fragrant  pink  flowers.  These  open  woodlands  be- 
come brilliant  with  these  rose-colored  blossoms.  The 
Large  Yellow  Moccasin  -  Flower  was  here  too,  with 
violets,  Stars -of- Bethlehem,  and  innumerable  pink 
blossoms  of  Cypripedium  acaule  growing  along  the 
side  hill,  shining  out  from  every  corner.  All  at  once, 
these  nearer  woodlands  had  unfurled  their  banners 
of  spring,  and  now,  "With  blossom,  and  birds,  and 
wild  bees'  hum,"  they  held  me  from  the  more  distant 
Bogs  of  Etchowog.  On  the  14th  of  June,  however,  I 
decided  to  take  old  Bonny  and  the  buggy,  and  drive  to 
these  bogs  to  see  if  any  Pogonias  and  Limodorums  were 
budded  as  yet  amid  the  grasses  of  the  open  cranberry 
marsh. 

Bonny  hitched  to  the  old  buggy,  my  faithful  old 
Major  at  my  side,  and  I,  with  my  vasculum  for  rare 
flowers,  a  basket  containing  drinking  glass,  carving 
knife,  and  bog-hoe  for  gathering  special  roots,  started 
down  the  hill  on  an  easy  trot  toward  Pownal  Pond. 
As  I  passed  School  Fourteen,  I  was  cheered  and  hailed 
by  the  children,  who  shouted,  "  Going  a-flowering?  " 
I  nodded  "  Yes,"  with  a  "  Get-ty  up  "  to  old  Bonny, 
who  had  thought  I  wished  to  visit  along  the  way. 

It  was  warm  and  dusty,  and  whenever  I  could,  I 
drove  through  the  streams  which  crossed  the  road,  in 


The  Small  White  Moccasin-Flower,      {('ypripcdiii))}  candUnni.) 
This  species  is  especially  an  orchiil  of  the  damp  swells  of  the  prairie,  growing  in 
company  with  the  Painted  Cup  and   Iris 

"  Tliere.  I  think,  on  tliat  lonely  grave. 

Violets  spring  in  tlie  soil  May  shower, 
Tltcre,  in  llw  summer  breezes,  wave 
Crimson  phlox  and  moccasin  flower." 

Brv.wt. 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flo-wers      63 

order  to  swell  the  felly,  and  thus  tighten  the  tires  to  my 
rattling  wheels.  Although  I  felt  that  by  driving  along 
the  highway  I  was  losing  much  beauty  that  was  un- 
folding in  the  fields  and  fence  corners,  I  found  this 
method  of  progress  quite  comfortable. 

How  these  East  Pownal  bogs  came  by  the  musical 
name  of  Etchowog,  I  am  not  quite  certain;  nor  do  I 
know  exactly  what  it  means.  It  may  have  come  from 
a  primitive  language  of  a  mythological  age  for  all  I 
know,  or  it  may  have  come  from  the  Itch  -  Weed  or 
Indian  Poke  and  Poison  Rhus,  which  cause  much  irri- 
tation of  the  skin.  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  it  is  a 
corruption  of  the  Indian's  Greek  and  Latin  words  for 
"itch"  and  "bog," — at  least  this  etymology  quite 
suits  the  designation  of  these  swamps.  Ever  since  I 
can  remember  I  have  heard  the  older  folk  of  the  town 
call  it  Etchowog.  I  have  associated  the  region  with 
rare  flowers,  orchids,  pollywogs,  snapping-turtles  and 
mud-holes,  together  with  the  schoolhouse  in  District 
Thirteen,  where  the  good  people  hold  Advent  meetings, 
and  set  the  dates  for  the  world  to  come  to  an  end.  To 
me  it  seems  one  of  the  brightest,  richest  of  swamps, 
full  of"  Bottomless  Dead  Holes,"  where  only  bull- frogs 
peep  and  trill  and  croak  the  whole  season  through,  till 
their  notes  blend  with  the  chirp  and  whirr  of  the 
autumn  crickets. 

At  the  Barber  Mill,  I  hitched  Bonny  to  a  fence-post 
and  started  on  my  excursions.  I  looked  through  the 
open  meadow  east  of  the  mill  to  see  if  I  could  find  any 
rose-colored  Pogonias  and  Grass- Pinks.     There  was  as 


64  Bo^-Trotting'  for  Orchids 

yet  no  sign  of  them;  so  I  came  back  to  the  mill  and 
turned  in  through  the  bars,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
pond,  where  I  followed  a  grassy  path  around  the  hill 
to  the  treacherous  Cranberry  Swamp  farther  north- 
ward, where  I  had  been  cautioned  not  to  wander  alone. 

Sounding  the  margin  of  the  marshy  meadow,  I 
found  quaking  and  unstable  ground.  With  a  ten-foot 
pole  I  probed  the  depths  of  the  mud,  and  found  it 
unfathomable,  and  no  signs  of  terra  firma  about  it. 
Pickerel- weed,  eel-grass,  frog's-bit,  and  the  leaves  of 
arrow-head  grew  about  the  pools.  I  could  not  very 
well  find  an  entrance  here,  unless  for  a  permanent  resi- 
dence. So  going  northward  along  the  west  shore  of 
this  mud-pond,  I  came  to  a  place  which  promised  fair 
and  safe  walking,  with  my  waterproof  boots  for  pro- 
tection. At  first  I  felt  my  way  very  cautiously,  then 
grew  bolder  and  forgot  that  I  was  in  a  dangerous 
place,  for  the  farther  I  advanced,  the  firmer  and  drier 
and  more  enchanting  became  the  field  of  my  vision. 

Before  me  opened  a  wide  expanse  of  meadow-land, 
where  even  unruly  cows  dared  not  wander,  and  man 
seldom  ventured  to  trespass.  Nature's  remote  solitude 
indeed  was  peacefully  hidden  here.  No  human  voices 
nor  sounds  of  hay-making  ever  echoed  over  these 
luxuriant  fields,  and  the  grasses  grew  sweetly,  to  fall 
untouched  to  earth  again,  mown  as  it  were  by  the  au- 
tumn winds,  and  stored  beneath  the  drifts  of  November 
snow,  to  lay,  in  time,  one  more  thin  coat  of  soil  upon 
the  unplumbed  depths  of  this  ancient  lake  bed.  Dur- 
ing some  long-ago  winter,  some  one  had  ventured  here 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flo-wers       65 

while  the  earth  was  frozen  and  safe,  and  had  built  a 
homely  hedge-fence  through  the  meadow,  probably  to 
keep  the  cattle  pasturing  hereabout  away  from  the 
dangerous  bog.  This  fence  was  the  only  visible  trace 
of  man.  In  its  tumbled-down  and  overgrown  condition, 
it  became  a  part  of  Nature's  self,  and  added  to  the 
picturesqueness  of  the  field.  Although  Rafinesque 
says  "that  he  hates  the  sight  of  fences  like  the  In- 
dians," to  me  the  hedge-fence  is  one  of  the  wildest  and 
most  primitive  of  forest  barriers.  Indeed,  it  must  have 
originated  with  the  veritable  wild  man  himself. 

I  was  tempted  on  and  still  farther  on  through  the 
meadow,  by  the  brilliant  crimson-purple  blossoms  of 
the  Pitcher  Plant,  or  Side-Saddle  Flowers,  so  named 
on  account  of  the  hard  shells  of  the  stigma  of  these 
flowers  resembling  the  padded  cushions  of  a  lady's  an- 
cient side-saddle.  This  cushion  was  known  as  the 
"pillion."  The  more  common  name  in  this  locality 
for  these  flowers  is  St.  Jacob' s-Dippers  and  Dumb- 
Watches,  children  playing  with  the  hard  shells  of  the 
stigmas  left  after  the  purple  petals  have  fallen,  calhng 
them  watches.  The  convex  surface  of  the  stigma  does 
indeed  resemble  the  face  of  a  watch,  although  there  are 
no  hands  to  point  the  hour.  Gay  blossoms  of  Fleur- 
de-lis  flaunted  their  gaudy  petals,  and  many  times  de- 
ceived me  by  making  me  imagine  that  I  spied  the 
Purple-Fringed  Orchises  in  the  distance,  waving  amid 
the  tall  grasses. 

Here  I  dreamed  away  an  hour  or  more,  following 
out  some  little  paths,  worn  perhaps  by  the  muskrats  or 


66  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

swamp  minks  or  wicked  weasels,  or  perchance  by  the 
tiny  feet  of  the  meadow-moles,  who  apparently  had 
blindly  rooted  various  underground  tunnels  in  every 
direction.  I  can  fancy  them  all  trotting  swiftly  along, 
playful  at  times,  yet  with  an  eye  to  their  affairs, — quite 
as  important  in  the  scheme  of  Nature  and  Science 
as  are  the  brokers'  studied  operations  in  Wall  Street. 
The  weasels  and  minks  are  the  terrors  of  the  other 
path-holders  in  this  natural  syndicate.  They  are  in- 
deed the  high  and  dreaded  trust  officials  of  the  lesser 
and  blind  rooters  of  the  earth. 

Tangled  vines  of  the  marsh  cranberry  were  now  in 
full  bloom,  and  at  the  same  time  the  soft  fruit  of  last 
autumn's  crop  was  present  on  the  vines,  still  bright 
crimson,  even  after  enduring  the  winter's  frosts  and 
stubborn  snows. 

Looking  northward  to  see  what  fields  lay  unexplored 
beyond  me,  I  realized  the  remoteness  of  this  region 
slumbering  amid  these  glacial  hills.  To  my  right  tow- 
ered the  Dome,  the  highest  mountain  of  Pownal,  of  a 
bluish-green  tone,  against  the  sky.  Nearer,  graceful 
elms,  tall  pines,  and  numerous  low  pointed,  lighter  green 
tamarack  trees  lifted  their  spires,  and  adorned  the  dis- 
tant meadow;  while  in  the  wide  expanse  on  the  west 
side,  along  the  edges  of  the  swamp,  rose  the  giant 
forms  of  elm  and  pine,  and  tall,  lithe  trees  of  the  swamp 
maple,  flashing  forth  their  crimson  and  gold  blossoms, 
reminding  me  of  the  coloring  of  autumn  leaves.  The 
nearer  marsh  was  rich  with  tasselled  grasses  and  blos- 
soming vines,  dotted  here  and  there  with  the  cardinal 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flo-wers      67 

buds  of  the  Pitcher  Plant  and  the  purple  Fleur-de-lis. 
It  seemed  a  land  of  dreams. 

The  air  vibrated  with  the  happy,  mellow  song  of 
birds,  interspersed  with  the  ever-present  lesser  sounds 
of  deep  solitudes.  Major,  like  me,  at  first,  was  cautious 
where  he  wandered,  but  once  amid  the  various  haunts 
of  wild  creatures  of  the  wood,  he  caught  the  happy 
spirit  of  the  hound,  frisking  and  studiously  following 
the  paths  of  the  wild  little  animals  to  the  very  doors 
of  their  homes. 

To  test  the  land,  I  stood  and  deliberately  shook  the 
foundation  of  the  earth.  All  the  blossoming  ground 
about  me,  for  at  least  fifteen  feet  distant,  trembled  as 
if  it  were  so  much  jelly.  Yet  the  spot  was  honey- 
combed and  dry  on  the  surface,  there  having  been 
little  rain  in  this  region  during  the  month. 

I  now  sought  the  western  hillside  path,  and  bearing 
northwestward  around  the  border  of  the  swamp,  I 
occasionally  ventured  in  and  out  along  the  edges  of  the 
meadow  bushes.  Finally  I  reached  the  swamp  maples, 
which  I  had  observ^ed  from  the  interior,  and  I  secured 
a  good-sized  branch  of  the  gold  and  crimson  clusters 
to  carry  off  with  my  load  of  treasures.  On  every  hand, 
out  of  the  small,  muddy  pools  of  water,  rose  the  leaves 
of  the  Buckbean  {Meyiyanthes  trifoliatd).  The  beauti- 
ful spikes  of  white-bearded  flowers  were  turning  brown 
with  age,  and  the  plants  were  setting  their  bullet-like 
seed-pods.  Now  and  then,  beneath  the  low,  shaggy 
pines,  I  found  the  humble  Pink  Moccasin  -  Flower 
{Cypripedium  acatcle),  which   I  hailed  as  a  sign  that 


68  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

the  Showy  Queen  of  the  genus  might  dwell  not  far 
distant. 

Knowing  the  favorite  haunts  which  this  orchid 
seeks,  I  searched  through  all  the  dark  corners  of  the 
swamp.  At  the  extreme  northwestern  portion  of  the 
region,  I  entered  a  dense  shaded  corner  about  fifty  feet 
square,  where  were  many  springs  soaking  through  the 
sphagnum  to  the  deeper  fields  of  the  interior  which 
I  had  so  lately  left.  Here  were  numerous  decaying 
pine  and  tamarack  logs,  low  sapling  willows  tangled 
amid  the  small  scrubby  spruces  and  tender  pines,  which 
were  striving  against  the  greater  natives  of  the  forest 
to  lift  their  spires  as  high  as  possible;  but  however 
eager  they  were,  they  had  not  attained  a  height  above 
ten  or  fifteen  feet  at  most.  Many  were  already  dis- 
couraged or  had  died  in  the  competition,  and  their 
wasting  forms  were  still  standing  with  broken  and 
weather-worn  trunks  and  limbs. 

Tall  brakes  and  Indian  Poke  ran  riot  among  the 
deeper  mounds  of  moss,  which  covered  the  decaying 
roots  of  the  long  wasted  primeval  pitch  pines.  The 
dark,  sluggish  pools  reflected  weirdly  the  ferns  and 
trees  above  them. 

Shooting  up  from  these  piles  of  sphagnum,  I  found 
at  least  fifty  plants  of  the  Showy  Moccasin-Flower 
{Cypripedium  regi7icE).  They  were  pregnant  with 
slumbering  buds,  and  would  surely  be  in  full  blossom 
by  June  20th.  Happy  over  my  good  fortune  at  locat- 
ing another  station  for  this  species,  I  prepared  to  bend 
my  footsteps  toward  my  horse  and  buggy,  —  glad  in- 


The  Queen  of  the  Indian  Moccasin-Flowers.    {Cypripcdium  n-ntiur.)    From  the  B05S 
of  Etchowog,  Pownal,  Vermont. 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flowers      69 

deed  to  know  that  I  would  not  be  obliged  to  walk 
home,  laden  as  I  was  with  Pitcher  Plant  roots  and 
various  other  shrubs  and  vines. 

Near  the  mill,  just  north  of  the  little  bay  in  the 
pond,  I  found  quantities  of  the  Yellow  Pond  Lily  or 
Spatter-Dock  (^Nymphcea  adve?ia)  just  beyond  my 
reach.  Securing  a  long  willow  sapling  with  a  tender 
end,  I  tied  it  into  a  loop,  and  stepping  out  into  the 
shallow  edges  of  the  pond  to  an  old  pine  log,  I  snared 
off  several  of  these  golden  cups,  which  the  children  call 
Cow-Lilies.  I  floated  them  in  to  the  shore,  where  I 
soon  gathered  them  up  and  packed  them  in  my  vas- 
culum. 

A  glance  into  the  water  along  the  edges  of  the  old 
log  revealed  thousands  of  tiny  pollywogs  or  tadpoles, 
as  well  as  half-formed  frogs,  the  hind  legs  beginning 
to  put  forth  on  the  large  tadpoles.  Here,  basking  in 
the  sunshine,  were  lizards,  snails,  leeches;  and  various 
species  of  small  fish  were  sporting  in  the  shallow 
waters.  Perch,  suckers,  and  eels  are  plentiful  in  Pow- 
nal  Pond,  which  is  locally  called  Perch  Pond,  from  the 
abundance  of  perch  found  in  its  waters.  These  fish 
seemed  to  seek  this  sheltered  arm  of  the  pond  to  leave 
their  young  fry  under  the  sheltering  lily-pads. 

Near  the  projecting  stumps,  amid-  floating  logs  were 
snails'  eggs,  and  I  noticed  several  baby  turtles,  recently 
hatched  from  eggs  in  the  sand,  varying  from  the  size 
of  nickels  to  that  of  a  silver  dollar.  Eel-grass  and 
many  marsh  grasses  and  sedges  grew  or  floated  on  the 
water,  among  which  the  small  fish  could  hide. 


70  Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

On  the  edge  of  the  water  among  the  ferns  and  brakes 
I  found  the  leaves  of  the  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  {Habe- 
naria  psy codes),  but  no  plants  likely  to  bloom  this 
season. 

When  I  reached  the  mill,  I  placed  my  treasures  in 
the  buggy,  and  started  after  that  part  of  my  load  which 
I  had  left  around  the  hill.  On  my  return,  I  gathered 
some  waxen,  crimson  cones  of  the  beautiful  tamarack 
tree  by  the  path.  When  I  bade  farewell  to  little  Mer- 
win  and  his  mother,  who  lived  in  the  mill-house,  I 
asked  them  to  watch  for  the  rose  -  purple  orchids,  — 
Pogonias  and  L,imodorums, —  which  were  now  due  any 
day,  east  of  the  mill.  The  boy  was  very  earnest  and 
observing,  and  I  knew  that  I  now  had  a  comrade  to 
guard  over  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog, 

Students  from  Williams  College,  and  tourists  from 
near  and  afar  seek  these  swamps  of  Pownal  for  bo- 
tanical specimens,  and  Merwin  had  often  been  their 
guide  to  the  haunts  of  these  rare  treasures.  He  told 
me  that  students  from  Williams  had,  the  j-ear  before, 
gathered  innumerable  pink  and  purple  flowers  in  these 
marshes,  as  well  as  the  beautiful  bearded  spikes  of  the 
Buckbean. 

For  a  succession  of  years — during  all  of  President 
Carter's  term  at  Williams  College  at  least — it  has  been 
the  unique  custom  to  bank  the  chancel  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  with  the  Showy  Moccasin-Flowers 
and  Maiden-Hair  Ferns,  on  Baccalaureate  Sunday, — 
which  occurs  usually  about  June  twentieth.  These 
gorgeously  colored  orchids  reach  the  height  of  their 


Queen  of  Moccasin-Flo-wers       71 

perfection  about  this  date.  They  seem  a  fitting  dec- 
oration for  the  church  during  the  Commencement  ser- 
vices of  this  college,  situated  in  the  heart  of  these 
Hoosac  Highlands. 

Plentiful  as  are  the  colonies  of  this  Showy  Moccasin- 
Flower  in  its  pet  localities,  it  has  always  been  an  in- 
teresting question  to  me  where  the  great  numbers  of 
perfect  blossoms  grouped  about  the  chancel  are  secured. 
They  are  known  to  the  children  in  each  school  district, 
and  usually  they  are  collected  as  soon  as  discovered. 

It  is  surprising  to  me  that  extinction  of  this  rare 
plant  is  not  taking  place  more  rapidly  hereabout. 
This  orchid  produces  very  few  seedlings  in  its  native 
haunts,  and  at  the  rate  of  collecting  both  its  blossoms 
and  roots  in  this  valley,  we  must  surely  look  for  total 
extinction  in  less  than  half  a  century  more,  unless  this 
ruthless  plucking  is  modified. 


VI 
Hail-Storms  at  E-tcKcwo^ 

.     .     .     Suddenly,  a  flaw 
Of  chill  wind  menaced  ;  then  a  strong  blast  beat 
Down  the  long  valley's  murmuring  pines  and  awoke 
The  noon-dreams  of  the  sleeping  lake,  and  broke 
Its  smooth  steel  mirror  at  the  mountain's  feet. 

WhitTier,  Storm  oti  Lake  Asquani. 

ON  June  2ist,  with  Major  I  walked  down 
through  the  Swamp  of  Oracles  in  District 
Fourteen,  along  Ball  Brook  to  the  Kimball 
Farm  bogs,  and  so  on  once  more  to  the 
Bogs  of  Etchowog  and  the  new  colony  of  Regincs — the 
queen  of  the  Indian  Moccasin-Flowers — which  I  had 
so  recently  discovered  in  Cranberry  Bog  north  of  the 
pond.  I  found  prime  blossoms  all  along  the  tiny  path, 
in  the  course  of  the  stream  through  the  deeper  parts  of 
Glen  of  Comus,  and  in  the  Kimball  Bogs,  and  I  was  in 
hopes  of  finding  them  in  the  swamps  of  Etchowog. 

As  I  passed  through  the  sphagnous  meadows  east 
of  Kimball's  barns,  around  the  hillside  path  to  Are- 
thusa's  Fountain,  I  noticed  several  flowers  of  the 
Cypripedium  I  was  seeking,  and  recognized  the  leav^es 
and  green-budded  spikes  of  Habcnaria  psycodes,  which 
would  later,  when  fully  in  bloom,  change  to  a  delicate 
purple. 


The  Small  Purple-Fringed  Orchis.      (Habciiaria  psycodes.) 


Hail-Storms  at  HtcKcwo^  "j'^ 

I  made  use  of  the  fence  boards  to  walk  through  the 
muddy  portions  of  my  path.  I  had  learned  by  former 
experiences  here  to  avoid  the  "  dead  holes."  Stepping 
on  some  boards  just  above  a  muddy  pool,  and  suddenly 
turning,  I  was  happily  surprised  to  see  many  spikes  of 
the  Tall  White  Northern-Orchis  {Habenaria  dilatatd) 
standing  near.  The  air  was  full  of  their  rich  perfume, 
and  many  small  flies  and  moths  hovered  around  them, 
sipping  the  nectar.  I  gathered  a  few  spikes,  and  went 
on  to  the  cool  spring  beyond,  finding  meanwhile  an 
abundance  of  wild  strawberries  along  the  borders  of 
my  path.  These  were  very  large  from  growing  in  the 
moist  shade. 

On  the  hillside,  up  which  I  climbed  to  the  west  for  a 
short  distance,  I  found  pretty  leaves  of  grasses,  delicate 
emerald  in  color,  growing  in  a  triangular  form,  and 
resembling  lily  leaves. 

I  had  heard  distant  thunder  rolling  off"  to  the  north- 
west, and  it  caused  me  to  hasten  onward.  My  rest, 
therefore,  at  the  spring  was  brief  to-day;  although  so 
far  away  from  home,  I  was  not  so  far  from  shelter,  and 
the  thought  of  a  shower  was  welcome,  for  the  air  was 
sultry.  As  I  neared  the  open  swamp,  beyond  the  mill, 
the  storm  made  rapid  strides,  but  I  wandered  up  and 
down  the  meadow  long  enough  to  assure  myself  that 
this  season  the  Pogonias  and  Limodorums  were  not  in 
bloom  on  time. 

Large  drops  of  rain  began  to  fall  from  the  black 
clouds,  and  as  I  hurried  toward  the  shelter  of  the  mill, 
I  met  Merwin  and  his  mother  returning  to  their  home. 


74  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

They  motioned  me  to  join  them.  As  I  did  so,  great 
gusts  of  wind  dashed  over  us,  and  suddenly  huge  hail- 
stones pelted  the  earth.  Leaves  and  small  twigs  and 
young  apples  fell  on  every  side,  while  the  half-grown 
nuts  from  the  Butternut-tree  {Juglans  cinerea),  in  the 
dooryard,  were  soon  stripped  away,  with  the  leaves 
and  broken  limbs  of  the  tree.  Some  of  the  hailstones 
were  the  size  of  small  hen's-eggs,  perfect,  oval  ices 
which  might  have  been  turned  out  of  glass  moulds. 

Soon  the  air  became  very  chilly,  as  during  the  first 
snow  on  a  damp  November  day,  while  the  ground  was 
white  with  hailstones.  This  abrupt  change  in  the  at- 
mosphere from  heat  to  extreme  cold  caused  untimely 
deaths  in  the  chicken  yard.  The  old  mother  hen  lost 
her  head  completely,  and  unable  to  find  shelter  in  the 
barn  because  of  the  banging  doors,  she  put  her  head 
in  a  crevice  while  her  brood  ran  about  and  perished 
with  cold  or  were  killed  by  the  stones. 

Merwin's  mother  sadly  watched  the  devastation  of 
her  little  garden,  and  the  death  of  her  chickens.  It 
was  impossible  to  go  to  their  rescue  without  danger 
to  our  own  heads.  This  storm  continued  about  two 
hours,  alternating  now  and  then  with  a  calm,  to  return 
again  and  again  with  sudden  fury.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  although  it  still  rained  sadly,  I  started  for  home, 
knowing  that  with  rubber  boots  I  could  wade,  if  neces- 
sary, through  any  ordinary  streams. 

The  weather  had  turned  so  cold  that  an  icy  coating 
covered  the  meadow  grass  and  the  borders  of  the  road, 
and  promised  not  to  melt  away  in  haste. 


Hail-Storms  at  E-tcKo^wo^  75 

As  I  neared  Kimball  Farm,  where  Ball  Brook 
meets  Thompson's  stream,  I  found  the  road  opposite 
the  barns  flooded, —  like  a  river  flowing  across  the 
road.  It  was  far  too  deep  for  me  to  wade  through,  be- 
sides, the  current  was  so  strong  that  I  should  have  been 
tripped  had  I  ventured  it.  I  had  to  walk  some  dis- 
tance on  the  stone  wall  and  over  a  heavy  plank,  which 
some  one  during  a  previous  deluge  had  placed  here 
for  a  high-water  footbridge  in  an  emergency. 

A  walk  up  the  hill,  and  I  turned  off  the  road,  enter- 
ing a  path  through  the  cow^-pastures,  to  see  the  heaps 
of  hail  under  the  pines  along  Thompson's  Brook, 
which  was  a  beautiful,  roaring  and  seething  torrent 
now,  as  it  plunged  and  leaped  down  through  its  rocky 
flume  to  the  valley  below. 

As  I  came  out  on  the  highway  again,  at  the  bend  in 
the  road  near  Ball  Farm,  I  heard  the  familiar  voice  of 
some  one  who  had  been  sent  in  search  of  me.  I  was 
warmed  with  enthusiasm  and  interest  in  the  storm's 
ravages,  and  thoroughly  enjoying  my  walk.  However, 
I  was  grateful  for  a  ride  home.  Passing  by  School 
Fourteen,  we  saw  the  prudent  teacher  scanning  the  sky 
before  she  ventured  forth.  We  noticed  many  broken 
panes  of  glass  in  the  schoolhouse  windows,  while 
dozens  were  shattered  in  the  houses  along  the  way. 

I  had  hoped  to  revisit  the  colony  of  the  Showy  Moc- 
casin-Flowers which  I  had  found  in  Cranberry  Swamp, 
north  of  the  pond  on  June  14th.  But  Merwin's  mother 
told  me  that  without  doubt  they  had  been  gathered 
on  Saturday  afternoon,  June  19th,  by  three  students 


76  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

from  Williams  College ;  she  had  seen  two  of  them 
come  around  the  hill  by  the  pond  about  five  o'clock 
on  that  day,  bearing  a  new  bushel-basket  filled  with 
these  gorgeous  orchids,  while  the  third  soon  followed 
laden  with  more  than  he  could  easily  carry  far  in  his 
arms.  They  followed  the  cool  mountain  road  over  the 
Domelet  to  Williamstown,  a  road  over  which  the  yeo- 
men from  northern  Berkshire  were  led  to  battle  at 
Bennington,  on  the  i6th  of  August,  1777.  The  road 
is  seldom  traversed  now,  and  at  best  is  rough  and  rocky. 
It  leads  directly  from  Bennington  southward  to  North 
Adams,  under  the  mountains,  and  indirectly  to  Boston. 

Had  the  storm  come  on  Saturday,  instead  of  Mon- 
day, very  few  blossoms  of  these  orchids  would  have 
decorated  the  church  chancel  on  Baccalaureate  Sunday 
for  Williams'  Commencement  exercises. 

The  fact  that  these  students  come  to  the  Pownal 
bogs  for  these  orchids  assured  me  of  the  scarcity  and 
rarity  of  the  species  in  Williamstown,  although  they 
may  be  found  sparingly  in  the  swamps  of  The  Forks 
along  Broad  Brook,  just  over  the  Vermont  State  I^ine 
in  Pownal.  This  stream  rises  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Majestic  Dome,  and  flows  down  to  the  Hoosac  by 
wa}'  of  White  Oaks,  and  thus  enters  Williamstown, 
where  it  soon  joins  the  river.  The  orchids  in  The 
Forks  are  quickly  plundered,  long  before  June  20th, 
by  ignorant  tourists  or  students  afield  botanizing,  who 
either  do  not  realize  or  do  not  care  that  plucking  all 
these  rare  blossoms  will  in  time  bring  about  their  total 
extinction. 


Hail-Storms  at  E-tcHoAvog  ^'j 

Orchids  may  in  many  instances  produce  seeds  in 
abundance,  but  why  the)^  do  not  reproduce  more  seed- 
lings is  a  problem  not  easily  solved  nor  remedied. 

Darwin  once  estimated  that  a  single  spike  of  the 
English  Orchis  {Orchis  masculata)  produced  over 
186,000  seeds,  and  that  at  this  rate  its  grandchildren 
would  soon  carpet  the  earth;  while  Miiller  says  also 
that  his  brother  estimated  1,750,000  seeds  in  a  single 
capsule  of  another  species  of  the  family  {Maxil/aria). 
We  must  remember  that  the  species  of  Orchidacea  are 
not  as  a  rule  self-fertilized,  as  are  the  more  abundant 
and  common  flowers  and  weeds,  which  often  cover 
acres  of  swampy  land  and  fields  of  waste  land.  Our 
native  orchids  are  wholly  dependent  upon  insects  for 
fertilization  and  cross-fertilization;  yet,  for  some  cause 
or  other,  comparatively  few  of  the  ripened  and  fertile 
seeds  germinate  and  reproduce  new  seedlings.  Our 
Moccasin-Flowers  do  not  appear  to  multiply  in  many 
swamps,  while  species  of  Orchis  and  Habenaria  are 
never  abundant  in  this  region. 

For  years  now,  I  have  noticed  large  groups  of  the 
Showy  Lady's  Slippers  growing  in  Rattlesnake  Swamp 
near  Uoyd  Spring,  and  I  can  find  little  increase  in  the 
number  of  plants,  or  the  size  of  the  old  snarl  of  roots. 
In  fact,  they  seem  to  be  diminishing  in  numbers. 

There  is  an  old  colony  in  this  region  that  has  stood 
for  about  seventy-five  years,  much  the  same  in  size,  on 
the  authority  of  the  old  inhabitants  of  this  neighbor- 
hood. It  stands  to-day  among  the  shrub-like  willows 
and  swamp  maples,  at  the  feet  of  little  scrub  pines  and 


78  Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

dwarf  double  spruces,  hiddeu  from  the  sight  of  travel- 
lers in  the  path  by  a  prostrate  tree  trunk  and  decaying 
primeval  pine  stump.  I  observed  this  colony  years 
ago,  and  this  season  it  appeared  the  same  to  me, 
occupying  a  space  about  two  feet  square.  I  counted 
forty-two  full-grown  flowers,  many  stems  bearing  two 
blossoms.  This  indeed  was  one  of  the  most  charming 
sights,  suggesting  the  luxuriance  of  the  humid  climate 
of  the  tropics.  It  was  even  more  enchanting  than  the 
colony  of  Pink  Moccasin-Flowers, — that  famous  group 
of  two  hundred  buds  which  the  children  in  District 
Fourteen  secured  ahead  of  me,  since  this  group  of 
flowers  were  massed  more  closely  together.  I  wished 
a  sight  of  the  Pink  Moccasin-Flowers  at  their  best.  I 
left  these,  too,  undisturbed  save  by  the  little  moths 
and  mosquitoes  and  honeybees,  which  came  to  drink 
the  nectar  within  the  pearly  pink  and  white  cups. 

Notwithstanding  the  recent  hailstorms,  which  had 
split  many  cups  and  spilt  the  dew,  the  flowers  were 
developing  plump,  hard  seed-capsules.  Thousands  of 
fertile  seeds  must  fall  and  fly  about  from  this  colony; 
and  yet  the  aged  snarl  of  roots  remains  the  same. 

A  unique  row  of  seedlings  of  this  species  {Cypripe- 
dium  regincs)  too  young  to  blossom,  and  reminding  one 
of  a  row  of  barn-swallows,  not  yet  sufficiently  matured 
to  fly,  grew  along  a  moss-covered  pine  log,  near  the 
parent  colony  of  plants.  Digging  down,  I  found  the 
old  log  about  twelve  inches  below  the  surface.  It  was 
sound  at  the  heart,  bare  ot  its  outer  bark,  and  had  be- 
come so  imbedded  in  the  water-soaked  peat  as  to  be 


"^>i^  *    *X'' 

■A./^  v^JT-" 

W^^y^ 

^i£^i^^ 

o,    tic  -2   o   »^ 
■^     ^>    ago 


5    ^    :?    ^    S  -c 

■2  5     ^     ?     ta 


Hail-Storms  at  HtcHo-wo^  79 

absolutely  preserved.  The  stump  from  which  this  tree 
had  fallen  was  worn  and  crumbled  away  to  the  very 
earth,  and  capped  with  moss.  It  will  require  years  for 
this  log  to  settle  into  the  peat  deeply  enough  to  allow 
these  seedling  orchids  to  ply  and  mass  their  roots  in 
generous  soft  soil.  Unless  their  roots  deeply  penetrate 
rich  soil,  the  plants  become  pale  in  color  and  dwarfed, 
like  the  plants  growing  in  loose  sphagnum. 

I  missed  some  old  colonies;  these  were  of  a  new  gen- 
eration, and  if  they  are  not  starved  out,  will  blossom 
here  in  a  row  another  year. 

Another  cluster  of  plants  growing  near  by  produces 
the  deepest  magenta  blossoms  that  I  ever  beheld,  and 
only  in  this  one  group  have  I  seen  this  particular  hue. 
A  deep  rose  -  purple  extends  over  almost  the  whole 
labellum,  and  from  a  distance  I  thought  I  had  discov- 
ered the  long-sought  Purple-Fringed  Orchis, — such  a 
flame  of  color  rose  before  me.  It  almost  seemed  a 
variety  of  the  true  Cypripedium  regincB. 

This  swamp  produced  just  one  hundred  blossoms 
this  season.  Of  this  number  I  gathered  about  twenty- 
five  among  the  scattered  plants,  leaving  the  older 
groups  to  ripen  their  seeds,  if  possible. 

I  found  the  first  fully  unfolded  Showy  Lady's  Slip- 
pers of  the  season,  on  June  8th,  in  the  Swamp  of  Ora- 
cles in  District  Fourteen;  while  those  of  Rattlesnake 
Swamp  unfolded  fully  this  season  on  June  20th,  and 
faded  about  July  ist,  the  season  being  shortened  by 
the  heavy  hailstorms. 

I  have  noticed  that  orchids  growing  in  open,  sunny 


8o  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

swamps  are  stocky  and  short-scaped,  bearing  highly 
colored  blossoms;  while  in  shaded,  muddy  glooms  the 
plants  are  rank  and  tender,  with  pale  flowers,  which 
do  not  last  nearly  so  long  as  those  which  grow  in  the 
sunlight.  The  deeply  colored  specimens  mentioned 
above  grew  wholly  in  the  sunshine,  and  beside  a  fresh 
flowing  stream. 

I  have  transplanted  all  the  New  England  species  of 
Cypripedium,  but  only  two  of  them  took  kindly  to  the 
garden  for  a  succession  of  seasons.  The  small  yellow 
species,  Cypripedium  parvijiorum,  seems  easily  natu- 
ralized in  our  damp  woodland  corners  of  the  garden. 
The  large  yellow  species,  Cypripedium  hirsutum, 
closely  allied  with  the  small  yellow  species,  is  easily 
managed  in  the  same  colony.  The  Ram's-Head  {Cy- 
pripedium  arietimmi)  is  more  choice  in  its  home,  being 
rarely  seen  in  cultivation.  It  is  not  very  plentiful  even 
in  its  native  haunts. 

I  have  sent  plants  of  the  Showy  I^ady's  Slipper  and 
the  lyarge  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper  found  on  Mount  CEta, 
to  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  to  Herkimer,  New 
York,  and  to  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  In  every  in- 
stance they  have  become  happy  in  their  new  surround- 
ings, thriving  and  blooming  through  several  seasons. 
The  Small  Yellow  Cypripedium  in  New  Haven  has 
flourished  and  bloomed  for  ten  seasons.  The  seed- 
capsules  of  these  orchids,  however,  have  never  matured 
fertile  seeds  in  this  garden;  and  the  pods  wither  up 
and  do  not  develop  as  in  the  forest  bogs,  for  want  of 
the  proper  insects  to  fertilize  them.     It  would  be  well 


Hail-Storms  at  E-tcHo-wo^         8i 

to  secure  pollen  from  sister  species  of  this  plant  in  the 
Swamp  of  Oracles,  and  insure  fertilization  and  cross- 
fertilization  of  this  tame  garden  plant.  We  might  look 
for  possible  hybrids,  since  this  species  is  well  broken 
away,  by  ten  years  of  cultivation,  from  its  primeval 
condition. 

The  Showy  Toady's  Slipper  does  not  take  so  naturally 
to  the  garden,  and  in  many  instances  does  not  live  so 
long  in  captivity  as  would  be  expected.  It  will,  how- 
ever, produce  seedlings  readily,  if  care  is  taken  to  pro- 
tect the  surrounding  soil  in  winter,  where  the  seed  is 
sown. 

An  interesting  experiment,  with  artificial  agencies 
producing  fertile  seed  of  this  species,  is  related  by  F. 
F.  I^e  Moyne  of  Chicago,  He  sowed  the  seed  thus 
obtained  artificially  for  two  successive  seasons,  and 
secured  seedlings  from  each  sowing.  He  also  believes 
that  "  this  plant  could  be  multiplied  very  rapidly  from 
seed  thus  fertilized,"  in  garden  culture." 

This  year,  I  sent  the  rare  Ram's-Head  to  the  New 
Haven  Garden,  with  hopes  of  its  blossoming  next  May. 
This  Cypripedium  is  the  rarest  orchid  in  North 
America. 

The  Pink  Moccasin-Flower  {Cypripedium  acaule)  is 
the  most  common  species  of  the  genus  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  on  the  continent  of  North  America,  north 
of  Mexico,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  Yellow  Cy- 
pripediums,  which  claim  a  broader  range  from  east 
to  west.  The  Pink  Cypripedium  proves  the  most 
'  F.  F.  L,e  Moyue,  Garden  and  Forest,  3  :  1890. 

6 


82  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

stubborn  and  difficult  in  cultivation.  It  may  be  potted 
during  the  winter,  but  seldom,  if  ever,  blooms  more 
than  a  single  season. 

While  many  of  our  native  orchids  have  a  certain 
amount  of  adaptiveness  to  environment,  they  never 
will  be  found  to  choose  absolutely  dry  soil,  such  as  the 
rocky  sheep  pastures  in  which  the  common  pennyroyal 
thrives.  A  sheltered,  damp  corner  is  safest  for  the 
exiled  plant,  where  the  sunshine  searches  long  to 
brighten  its  petals. 

One  cold  day  in  early  March,  I  secured  a  frozen  sod 
containing  the  roots  of  the  Showy  lyady's  Slipper,  and 
made  an  artificial  bog  in  the  bay-window,  where  I 
watched  it  thaw  out.  The  flowers  burst  forth  about  a 
month  earlier  than  when  in  the  swamps.  But  although 
they  were  fully  in  the  warm  rays  of  the  May  sun,  the 
blossoms  were  pale  and  delicate.  The  same  cluster  of 
plants  sent  forth  deep  rose-tinged  blossoms  the  next 
season,  in  the  damp  corner  of  my  garden,  where  I 
planted  them.  They  became  strong,  healthy  plants, 
flowering  several  seasons  on  the  regular  date  for  Pow- 
nal,  June  20th.  It  is  therefore  evident  that  dates  for 
blossoming  differ  more  according  to  the  exposure  of 
the  haunt  than  to  the  variations  of  seasons.  But  in 
the  Swamp  of  Oracles  I  know  where  I  can  find  this 
Showy  Queen  of  the  Indian  Moccasins  as  early  as 
June  8th,  and  I  know  of  other  haunts  where  it  is  not 
unfurled  until  the  15th  and  20th  of  the  month. 


VII 
S-weet  Po^onias  and  Limodorums 

Come  bring  me  wild  pinks  from  the  valleys, 

Ablaze  with  the  fire  o'  the  sun — 
No  poor  little  pitiful  lilies 

That  speak  of  a  life  that  is  done  ! 

Alice  Gary,  Be  Still. 

ON  June  26th  we  drove  over  to  Thompson's 
Trout  Pond.  We  took  the  old  flat-bottomed 
boat,  and  with  one  slab  board  for  a  paddle, 
steered  slowly  over  the  whole  surface  of 
the  lake, — a  beautiful,  clear  little  mountain  mirror,  with 
good-sized  fish  swimming  about.  I  searched  along  the 
shores  for  the  long-desired  Purple-Fringed  Orchises, 
but  still  without  success.  Fleur-de-hs  grew  abundantly 
about  the  lake;  and  in  the  little  dents  and  bays  among 
the  sedges  and  cat-tails,  I  found  the  Yellow  Spatter- 
Dock  or  Cow- Lily  {Nyjuphcea),  so  named  in  the  time  of 
Christ  by  the  ancient  herbalist,  Dioscorides,  who  first 
gave  it  the  Greek  name  Blephara,  and  later,  in  Latin, 
Nymphcsa  hitca  and  Neyiuphar  citrinmn .  It  was  known 
in  England  in  1500  as  Yellow  Nenuphar  or,  Water  Lily. 
The  swamp  birds  are  tame  and  saucy  here.  Pad- 
dling our  boat  into  the  reedy  shores  among  the  alder 
bushes,  where  they  were  nesting,  they  seemed  to  take 
83 


84  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

no  alarm  at  our  approach,  but  stood  their  ground  pour- 
ing forth  beautiful  liquid  notes.  In  one  place  near  the 
centre  of  the  lake,  we  crossed  an  expanse  of  deep  water 
where  long  rootlets  of  the  Water  Persicaria  (^Polygonum 
amphibiuvi)  supported  glossy  carmine,  lance  -  like 
leaves,  which  swayed  gracefully  on  the  surface  of  the 
swelling  waves  as  we  approached.  These  strange 
deep-water  weeds  send  forth  rich  crimson  or  pinkish 
flowers  a  little  later,  seeming  fairly  to  stain  the  lake. 
I  had  never  seen  this  species  before  growing  in  such 
depths  of  water.  It  is  a  species  of  the  Buckwheat 
Family,  and  a  near  cousin  of  the  barnyard  smart-weed 
and  the  knot-grass  or  door-weed.  The  generic  name, 
Polygonum,  comes  from  the  Greek,  meaning  "many 
knees."  It  is  so  called  on  account  of  the  swollen 
joints  of  some  of  the  species  of  this  family.  The 
leaves  of  the  Water  Persicaria  are  brilliant  crimson  on 
the  lower  surface,  and  with  age  and  exposure  the  up- 
per surface  turns  deep  Indian-red. 

These  plants  were  rooted  at  least  fifteen  feet  below 
the  water's  surface  in  the  mud.  They  may  be  found, 
too,  along  the  shallow  shores  of  Pownal  Pond.  They 
also  grow  in  ponds  and  lakes  far  northward  to  Quebec 
and  Alaska,  and  as  far  south  as  New  Jersey  and  Ken- 
tucky, and  westward  to  California.  They  thrive  at  an 
altitude  of  two  thousand  feet,  in  the  lakes  of  the  Adi- 
rondacks,  blooming  there,  as  a  rule,  in  July  and  Au- 
gust. Thoreau  observed  this  species  in  the  lakes  of 
the  Maine  woods,  during  his  journey  in  1853. 

On  the  30th  of  June  I  ventured  forth  to  Etchowog, 


Po^onias  and  Limodorums        85 

ill  search  of  Pogouias  and  L,imodorums,  although  the 
season  was  almost  too  far  advanced  for  prime  speci- 
mens. I  had  heard  the  day  before  that  some  blossoms 
of  these  plants  had  been  gathered  in  the  Westville 
Swamps,  near  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  I  thus  felt 
encouraged  to  search  once  more  for  these  beautiful 
orchids.  With  luncheon  and  vasculum,  and  Major 
following  me,  I  journeyed  over  the  meadows  and  hills 
of  Mount  CEta  to  the  north  slope  of  the  Domelet, 
where  I  crossed  the  country  road.  Finally  I  de- 
scended into  a  deep  basin  under  the  Dome,  which  rises 
east  of  the  Domelet.  Northward  nestled  the  neat 
white  and  red  farm  buildings  near  Thompson's  Pond, 
and  far  beyond  them  all  I  saw  the  blue,  blue  hills  of 
Bennington  County. 

Everywhere  I  searched  for  the  Fringed  Orchis, 
which  had  so  far  eluded  me  in  these  swamps.  The 
meadow  seemed  interminable  as  I  circled  around  to 
the  east  of  the  pond.  Bearing  to  the  northward,  I 
noticed  nothing  new  except  the  ravages  of  the  recent 
hailstorm.  It  had  cut  down  flowers  and  corn-fields 
alike.  The  very  hills  were  washed  down  from  the 
mountain  sides;  great  gutters  and  still  flowing  streams 
were  eroding  the  corn-fields,  scattering  the  sandy  soil 
broadcast  over  the  once  green  meadows.  Even  the 
edges  of  the  grasses  were  brown  and  sear,  and  the 
Timothy-heads  of  the  Cat's-tail  Grass  were  stripped 
prematurely  of  their  seed. 

I  followed  Thompson's  Brook,  leading  northerly  from 
the  pond,  in  through  several  willow  and  alder  swamps. 


86  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Then,  instead  of  following  down  the  rocky  channel  to 
Ball  Brook  Forks,  I  struck  out  directly  at  the  head  of 
the  Meyers  Road,  over  the  fields,  north  from  the  maple- 
sugar  house,  and  landed  on  the  high  hills  south  of  the 
great  meadows  of  Ktchowog.  Sleeping  at  my  feet  lay 
those  sphagnous  bogs  which  had  already  yielded  me 
so  many  rare  flowers,  and  so  much  pleasure.  North- 
ward stretched  out  a  vast  sweep  of  hills  and  valleys, 
reaching  nearly  the  whole  length  of  Bennington 
County.  To  the  right  towered  the  massive  abutments 
of  the  Dome,  and  to  the  left  rose  the  isolated  form  of 
Mount  Anthony, — these  two  mountains  framing,  as  it 
were,  the  gap  northward,  through  whose  wide  vista  I 
could  define  the  dim  blue  heights  of  Mount  Equinox, 
at  Manchester.  Nearer,  I  could  trace  fertile  vales  and 
sloping  hillsides,  dotted  here  and  there  with  wood- 
lands, scattered  trees  and  farm  buildings. 

Standing  still  nearer  in  the  shadow  of  Mount  An- 
thony was  Bennington  Hill,  with  the  Battle  Monu- 
ment clearly  outlined  even  at  this  distance,  some  ten 
miles  away.  In  the  nearer  landscape  were  discernible 
the  serpentine  windings  of  Ball  Brook,  with  its  long 
chain  of  tamarack  and  balsam-fir  swamps,  spreading 
out  here  and  there  toward  Bennington, — where,  I  dare 
say,  are  many  rich  and  undiscovered  colonies  of  I^ady's 
Slippers. 

Nearer  yet,  the  knob-like  glacial  hills  around  Pow- 
nal  Pond  shield  the  Cranberry  Swamp  to  the  north, 
and  the  open  Bogs  of  Etchowog  east  of  the  pond. 
Nestling  among  the  trees  by  the  mill,  I  picked  out  the 


c   c 

o    <- 


I    o      t 


Po^onias  and  Limodorums        87 

roof  of  the  mill-house  where  little  Merwin  lives.  But 
the  shadows  of  hill  and  mountain  were  growing  longer 
in  the  valley  as  the  sun  sank  toward  the  west,  and  it 
behooved  me  to  waste  no  more  time  dreaming  on  the 
hilltop.  So  I  slowly  descended  to  the  valley,  groping 
my  way  between  bushy  young  pines,  passing  a  herd 
of  gentle,  meek-faced  Jersey  cows  feeding  on  the  hill- 
side. I  found  many  cow-paths  running  around  the 
bog,  and  was  led  out  into  the  swamp  at  a  point  nearly 
opposite  the  little  white  schoolhouse  of  Barber  District, 
Number  Thirteen. 

I  did  not  find  the  place  rose-purple  with  the  little 
orchids,  as  it  should  have  been,  but  I  did  find  a  few 
dozen  plants  of  Grass-Pinks  {Limodorum  tuberosiint), 
and  six  or  eight  delicate  rose-pink  blossoms  of  Snake- 
Mouth  {Pogonia  ophioglossoides).  I  gathered  a  few 
flowers  of  each,  grateful  that  any  remained  to  assure 
me  that  they  were  not  quite  extinct  here,  and  I  ob- 
served how  very  careful  one  must  be  in  plucking  the 
flowers  not  to  pull  the  little  roots  and  bulbs  out  of  the 
moss  at  the  same  time. 

All  my  plants  grew  east  of  the  stream  that  runs 
through  the  centre  of  the  swamp.  When  I  tried  to 
cross  this  creek,  I  found  it  so  broad  and  deep  and 
muddy  that  I  could  not  get  anywhere  near  it.  Wan- 
dering toward  the  road  skirting  the  bog,  I  came  to  a 
rude  board  bridge  over  the  stream,  indicating  a  path 
formerly  leading  through  the  swamp  to  Barber's  Mill. 
Some  high- water  tide  had  twisted  and  turned  the  plank 
about  so  that  only  by  catching  and  clinging  to  small 


88  Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

bushes  and  saplings  on  the  other  bank  could  I  succeed 
in  crossing.  I  found  no  Pogonias  and  Liniodorums  on 
the  west  side  of  the  stream,  and  it  was  just  here  that  I 
had  once  found  the  meadow  one  wave  of  rose-purple. 

Reaching  the  mill,  I  hastened  around  the  bend  in 
the  road.  A  little  to  the  south  of  Arethusa's  Spring, 
and  scarcely  five  feet  to  the  left  of  the  path,  under  some 
willows,  I  saw  a  dark,  insignificant  looking  pool. 
Stooping  down  and  touching  the  surface,  I  found  it 
icy  cold.  This  pool,  Merwin's  mother  tells  me,  has 
always  been  here,  and  at  no  time  in  her  memory  has 
she  heard  of  any  one  being  successful  in  measuring  its 
depth,  although  it  has  been  probed  with  very  long 
sounding-poles.  These  have  been  dropped  fifty  feet  or 
more.  Frequently  she  has  left  a  long  pole  standing  in 
the  pool,  only  to  find  upon  returning  later  that  it  had 
disappeared  in  the  depths  below,  proving  great  suc- 
tion. Such  holes  and  springs  are  characteristic  of  the 
swamps  of  Ktchowog,  where  the  original  lake  bed  was 
located  over  a  century  ago,  before  the  water  of  Ball 
Brook  was  turned  in  its  course  through  the  present 
pond  west  of  the  mill.  This  "  dead  hole  "  should  be 
fenced  in  and  marked  "  dangerous,"  since  it  might  so 
easily  be  stepped  into  by  one  unacquainted  with  its 
character. 

I  followed  the  familiar  and  loved  path  out  to  the 
sphagnous  meadows  east  of  Kimball's  barns.  Taking 
a  straight  line  southward  up  the  hill,  back  of  an  or- 
chard, along  the  border  of  a  field  of  Indian  corn,  I 
came  again  to  Thompson's  Brook,  on  its  way  to  join 


The  Rose  Pogonia.     {Pogonia  ophioglossoidcs.) 
A  delicate  little  orchid,  found  as  comrade  with  the  Grass  Pink,  and  frequently 
with  Arcthusa,  in  wild  sphagnous  meadows. 


Po^onias  and  I^imodorums        89 

Ball  Brook,  near  the  Kimball  barns  below.  It  is  one  of 
the  stoniest  channels,  narrow  and  deeply  worn,  with 
here  and  there  graceful  clinging  ferns  slightly  caught 
to  the  banks,  and  often  completely  hiding  the  huge 
boulders  and  ledges.  Pines  and  hemlocks  are  the 
principal  trees  along  this  stream.  The  twisted  and 
uncovered  reddish  roots  of  the  hemlocks  seemed  to 
have  split  the  black  shelving  slate  rocks  asunder  with 
their  growth.  I  threaded  my  way  as  near  the  brook 
as  possible,  often  finding  it  necessary  to  wade  in  the 
stream  until  I  reached  the  bend  in  the  road  near 
Meyers' s  sugar-kitchen  among  the  maples.  Here, 
turning  to  my  right,  I  followed  the  shaded  road  leading 
past  the  schoolhouse  in  District  Fourteen,  and  home- 
ward to  Mount  CEta. 

My  orchids  were  pretty  well  withered  on  reaching 
home,  and  not  in  good  condition  for  studying.  These 
delicate  species  of  Pogonia  and  lyimodorum  are  easily 
wilted,  losing  their  beauty  and  elasticity  soon  after  be- 
ing severed  from  their  roots.  These  two  species,  Ad- 
der's-Mouth  Pogonia  and  Limodorum  tuberosum,  are 
almost  invariably  found  together, —  comrades  of  differ- 
ent genera  that  travel  far  and  wide  in  company 
throughout  their  continental  ranges. 

The  Adder's- Mouth  Pogonia  has  been  formerly  con- 
fused with  our  native  species  oi  Arethiisa  bulbosa,  and 
for  some  time  was  known  as  Adder's-Tongue  Are- 
thusa.  Thomas  Went  worth  Higginson  writes:  "  On 
peat-meadows  the  Adder's-Tongue  Arethusa  (now 
called  Pogonia)  flowers  profusely,  with  a  faint,  delicious 


90  Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

perfume, —  and  its  more  elegant  cousin,  the  Calopogon, 
(now  called  Limodorutn)  by  its  side."  ' 

Yet  Thoreau  had  a  different  impression  of  the  rose- 
pink  Pogonia's  fragrance,  and  says  in  his  notes  in 
Summer,  on  June  21,  1852:  "The  adder' s-tongue 
arethusa  smells  exactly  like  a  snake.  How  singular 
that  in  Nature,  too,  beauty  and  ofifensiveness  should 
be  thus  combined!  "  ^  On  July  7,  1852,  he  again  men- 
tions these  species  of  orchids:  "The  very  handsome 
'  pink-purple  '  flowers  of  the  Calopogoti  pulchellus  (now 
known  as  Limodorum  tuberosuni)  enrich  the  grass  all 
around  the  edge  of  Hubbard's  blueberr>^  swamp,  and 
are  now  in  their  prime.  The  Arethusa  bulbosa,  '  crys- 
talline purple, '  Pogo7iia  ophioglossoides,  snake-mouthed 
(tongued)  arethusa,  '  pale-purple,'  and  the  Cahpogon 
pulchellus,  grass-pink,  *  pink-purple,'  make  one  family 
in  my  mind  (next  to  the  purple  orchis,  or  with  it),  be- 
ing ^LowQxs par  excellence,  all  flower,  naked  flowers,  and 
difficult,  at  least  the  Calopogons,  to  preserve.  But  they 
are  flowers,  excepting  the  first,  at  least,  without  a 
name.  Pogojiia  !  Calopogon  !  !  They  would  blush 
still  deeper  if  thej'  knew  what  names  man  had  given 
them."  ' 

The  Pogonia  seems  to  bloom  slightly  in  advance  of 
Limodorum,  and  is  a  delicate,  waxen-pink  flower.  It 
raises  its  single  terminal  blossom  about  six  inches 
high  amid  the  tall  grasses  of  the  swampy  meadow.     It 

'  T.  W.  Higginson,  The  Procession  of  the  Flowers,  p.  21. 
"  Thoreau,  Summer,  p.  198. 
^Ibid,  p.  347. 


The  Thompson  Brook,  East  Pownal,  Vermont. 

"   They  Icjl  Ihcir  home  of  Summer  case 
licneath  the  lowland's  sliellcriiig  trees. 
To  seek,  by  ways  unknown  to  all. 
The  promise  of  tlie  waterfall." 

Whittier. 


Pogonias  and  Limodorums        91 

is  not  so  beautiful  as  its  comrade  species,  the  Grass- 
Pink;  but  to  nie  it  is  sweetly  fragrant,  and  since  it  is 
an  orchid,  it  is  precious,  although  small  and  somewhat 
unsightly  in  its  suggestiveness. 

There  are  two  leaves:  one,  oblong  and  sessile,  ap- 
pears in  the  middle  of  the  stem  ;  and  another  smaller, 
bract-like  leaf  is  found  at  the  base  of  the  seed-capsule, 
bearing  the  nodding  blossom  with  its  alert  bearded 
petals.  The  roots  are  little  clusters  of  fibrous  threads, 
loosely  attached  in  the  moss-grown  mounds  of  the 
primeval  forest  stumps, —  which  are  slowly  decaying 
below  the  soil  in  these  aged  swamps. 

The  Grass- Pink  {Limodorum  tuberosum)  is  much 
more  attractive,  with  its  rose  and  pink-purple  blos- 
soms. The  spike,  often  a  foot  high,  bears  from  two  to 
fifteen  beautiful  and  slightly  fragrant  flowers.  The 
origin  of  the  generic  name,  Limodorum,  comes  from 
the  Greek,  meaning  "a  meadow  gift."  These  flowers, 
according  to  Mr.  Coleman,  are  called  Grass-Pinks  in 
Michigan,  while  Thoreau  also  called  them  by  the  same 
name  in  Massachusetts.'  The  labellum  seems  hinged 
at  the  insertion,  and  is  bearded  with  yellow  and  purple 
hairs.  There  is  seldom  more  than  one  freshly  blown 
blossom  on  the  stalk  at  a  time,  and  thus  the  plant 
remains  attractive  for  some  days.  Beginning  at  the 
lowermost  bud,  each  one  takes  its  turn  in  unfolding, 
the  spike  slowly  lengthening  while  the  buds  constantly 
increase  in  size  and  color. 

One  interesting  peculiarity  of  this  species  is  that  it 
'  Thoreau,  Summer,  p.  347. 


92  Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

remains  as  Nature  originally  intended  all  species  of 
orchids, — with  the  labellum  as  the  tipper  petal,  instead 
of  the  lower,  as  seen  in  all  other  native  species.  It 
will  be  observed  in  species  of  the  Orchid  Family  that 
a  twist  of  the  seed-pod  has  taken  place:  if  not  a  com- 
plete revolution,  at  least  half  a  turn.  The  labellum  is, 
therefore,  directed  forward  on  the  lower  or  inferior 
side,  as  in  the  species  of  Cypripedium,  where  it  appears 
in  the  position  of  a.  shoe  or  moccasin,  instead  of  hold- 
ing itself  above  like  a  dome,  as  originally  intended  by 
Nature.  Darwin  says  of  this  :  ' '  An  enormous  amount 
of  extinction  must  have  swept  away  a  multitude  of  in- 
termediate forms,  and  has  left  this  single  genus,  now 
widely  distributed,  as  a  record  of  a  former  and  more 
simple  state  of  the  great  Orchidean  Order."  ' 

The  ovary  of  the  Grass-Pink  is  straight,  and  the 
labellum  so  hinged  that  it  falls  down  like  an  arch 
above,  bearded  with  delicate  hairs.  The  column  bear- 
ing the  anther,  containing  four  soft  pollen-masses, 
curves  slightly  at  the  end,  producing  a  hollow  wherein 
lies  the  pollinia.  The  stigraatic  surface  lies  still  farther 
toward  the  centre  of  the  column.  An  insect  sipping 
nectar  from  these  flowers,  safely  enters  without  dis- 
tributing the  adhesive  pollinia,  since  the  anthers  con- 
taining the  cells  are  so  hinged  that  not  until  he  turns 
to  leave  the  heart  of  the  flower  does  he  swing  open  the 
lid  of  the  cup  containing  the  powdery  gold,  which 
fastens  to  the  velvet  of  his  coat  beneath  his  body. 
The  next  flower  of  this  species,  therefore,  becomes  fer- 
'  Darwin,  Fertilizafioii  of  Orchids,  p.  226.     1895. 


./  rj.CC  c</0..  , 


The  Grass-Pink.      (Limodorum  tuberosum.') 
This  is  a  strange,  beautiful  orchid  with  a  straight  seed-pod  (ovary),  which  causes 
the  labellum  to  remain  on  the  upper  side  of  the  inner  whorl,  instead  of  the  lower  side 
by  torsion  as  in  nearly  all  other  orchids. 


Po^onias  and  Limodorums        93 

tilized  properly,  and  in  turn  unlocks  her  treasure-store 
as  the  insect  backs  off  the  keel  of  the  pollen  mass. 
Professor  Meehan  writes  that  this  plant  "  rarely  fails 
to  produce  perfect  seed-vessels.  Yet  it  is  seldom  that 
plants  which  depend  on  insects  for  their  supply  of 
pollen,  as  these  are  supposed  to  do,  and  which  are 
not  fertilized  by  their  own  pollen,  produce  seeds  from 
every  flower."  ' 

It  is  said  that  the  twisted  ovary  seen  in  orchids  came 
about  through  necessity  in  fertilization.  This  has 
caused,  as  Darwin  says,  "  the  labellura  to  assume  the 
position  of  a  lower  petal,  so  that  insects  can  easily  visit 
the  flower;  but  from  slow  changes  in  the  form  or  posi- 
tion of  the  petals,  or  from  new  sorts  of  insects  visiting 
the  flowers,  it  might  be  advantageous  to  the  plant  that 
the  labellum  should  resume  its  normal  position  on  the 
upper  side  of  the  flower."^  In  the  present  position 
of  the  labellum  of  Cypripedium  we  observe  the  con- 
venient resting-place  for  the  bee  as  it  alights  and  de- 
scends to  the  interior,  where  are  stored  the  nectar  and 
attractive  colors.  The  insect  must  be  persevering  in- 
deed to  win  the  soul  of  the  orchids,  since  Nature  has 
constructed  their  organs  with  such  care  and  modifica- 
tions. The  hidden  hinge  to  the  cups  of  pollen  —  as 
instanced  in  the  flowers  of  the  Grass-Pink — demon- 
strates that  even  the  finest  hairs  and  tissues  in  these 
plants  have  their  meaning  and  their  values. 

'Thomas  Meehan,    The  Native  Flowers  and  Ferns  of  the 
United  States,  p.  104.     2:  1878. 
'•'  Darwin,  Fertilization  of  Orchids,  p.  2S4.     1895. 


94  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

Self-fertilization  seems  impossible  to  the  Rose-col- 
ored Pogonia,  which  bears  but  one  flower.  The  plants 
must  inter-cross.  An  interesting  account  of  the  fertil- 
ization of  this  orchid  is  given  at  length  by  Dr.  Samuel 
H.  Scudder, '  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society 
of  Natural  History. 

'  Dr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  Proc.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  Boston,  9 :  1863. 


VIII 

A  Colony  of  IVam's-Heads  in  WitcH 
Hollow 

The  solemn  wood  had  spread 

Shadows  around  my  head,^ 

"  Curtains  they  are,"  I  said, 

"  Hung  dim  and  still  about  the  house  of  prayer  "  ; 

Softly  among  the  limbs, 

Turning  the  leaves  of  hymns, 

I  heard  the  winds,  and  asked  if  God  were  there. 

No  voice  replied,  but  while  I  listening  stood. 

Sweet  peace  made  holy  hushes  through  the  wood. 

Ai,icE  Cary,  The  Sure  Wihiess. 

IT  was  often  a  temptation  during  my  search  for 
wild  strawberries,  to  saunter  through  the  swampy- 
meadows  on  the  northern  slopes  of  Mount  CEta, 
where  nesting  bobolinks  were  busy  about  their 
homes.  Their  happy  notes  are  the  first  to  awaken  one 
in  the  morning,  and  almost  the  last  heard  at  twilight, 
about  the  edges  of  the  road  and  the  orchard,  where 
they  come  in  a  very  business-like  way  to  search  for 
food,  crying  the  while,  "  Bob-o'-link,  bob-o'-link, 
spink,  spank,  spink;  chee,  chee,  chee  !  " 

As  twilight  deepens  and  the  moon  comes  up  from 

behind  the  grim  form  of  the  Dome,  the  mournful  notes 

of  a  distant  chorus  of  whippoorwills  begin,  echoing  on 

until  far  into  the  early  morning.     The  other  noon  I 

95 


g6  Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

was  startled  to  hear  a  baby  whippoorwill  practising 
his  melancholy  tale  on  the  hillside  above  the  house, 
where  no  doubt  his  mother  had  lost  him  the  night  be- 
fore. He  had  "  stayed  out  all  night,"  and  knew  no 
better  than  to  sing  in  the  daytime.  I  suppose  his 
mother  had  not  yet  taught  him  when  and  how  to  sing, 
for  he  could  only  lisp  now,  saying  "  'Tis-so-still!  'Tis- 
so-still  !"  It  sounded  very  odd  at  noon,  although  it 
was  dark  and  rainy.  I  searched  through  the  daisied 
meadow  for  him,  and  found  that  he  was  a  full-sized 
bird, — too  large  to  be  lisping  such  baby  notes,  though 
not  old  enough  to  find  the  way  to  the  twilight  woods 
alone.  Perhaps  he  was  backward  in  his  singing  les- 
sons, and  his  mother  had  punished  him  by  leaving  him 
to  practise  all  day,  when  other  birds  of  the  night  were 
drowsing  under  the  shelter  of  old  logs  in  the  deep 
wood.  So  he  sang  on  and  on,  at  intervals,  all  the 
afternoon  in  the  rain,  out  on  the  grassy  hilltop. 

I  found  a  bobolink's  nest  low  in  the  swamp  meadow, 
near  where  there  were  many  busy  "  Roberts  of  lyin- 
coln."  Their  rich,  energetic,  gladsome  song  was  very 
contagious,  and  brightened  many  an  hour  when  I  was 
housed,  or  sat  on  the  porch,  watching  the  storms  come 
up  in  the  north  and  west. 

Mount  (Kta  is  one  of  the  foothills  of  the  Dome,  lying 
just  west  of  the  Domelet.  The  Hoosac  glides  around 
its  "  dug-away  "  base,  passing  through  the  narrowest 
portion  of  the  valley  near  the  Massachusetts  State  lyine. 
This  pass  is  often  called  the  "  Golden  Gate,"  likened 
to  the  Pass  of  Thermopylae,  among  the  mountains  of 


IVam's-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollow     97 

ancient  Greece.  Indeed,  the  warring  history  of  this 
valley  may  be  comparable  with  that  of  the  plains  of 
Marathon  and  the  mountains  of  Hellas.  Through  the 
Hoosac  Pass,  during  the  French  and  Indian  Wars, 
have  marched  the  French  cadets  and  cunning  Indians, 
led  by  General  Rigaud  de  Vaudreuil,  to  storm  and  cap- 
ture Fort  Massachusetts  near  the  base  of  Greylock's 
Brotherhood,  Here  they  fought,  sixty  to  one.  These 
encounters  were  but  forerunners  of  the  Bennington  re- 
bellion among  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  and  the  con- 
flicts at  Ticonderoga,  which  led  to  one  of  the  world's 
great  battles,  fought  among  the  hills  and  vales  of 
Saratoga. 

The  summit  of  Mount  CEta  is  crowned  with  luxuri- 
ant farms,  with  flowing  fields  of  grain  and  grasses. 
Miniature  hills  and  vales  between,  with  little  streams 
leading  down  the  slopes,  perfect  an  ideal  pastoral 
dream.  There  is  none  of  the  boldness  in  the  scene 
from  this  height,  as  observed  from  Mount  Greylock, 
Mount  Anthony,  or  the  Majestic  Dome. 

Very  often  the  highest  summits,  especially  those  of 
the  Dome  and  the  Greylock  group,  are  draped  with 
rosy-tinged  clouds  and  lowering  veils  of  mist  at  the 
sunrise  hour.  One  of  the  rarest  visions  seen  from  our 
modern  Mount  CE^ta  occurs  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  frequently  during  the  months  of  June  and 
July,  when  the  whole  valley  of  the  Hoosac  appears 
filled  with  a  perfect  sea  of  billowy  fog,  the  distant  blue 
mountain  peaks  rising  above.  With  the  golden  lights 
of  dawn  falling  upon  this  ocean  of  beauty,  one  can 


gS  Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

trace  twenty  miles  of  fairy-sea,  as  the  foaming  fog  fol- 
lows the  serpentine  windings  of  the  Hoosae  from  its 
source  under  Greylock,  ever  broadening  toward  the 
plains  of  Hoosae  Falls  and  the  hills  of  Saratoga.  Be- 
fore ten  o'clock  the  mist  usually  dissolves,  or  rises  as 
the  sun  burns  forth. 

In  all  my  wanderings,  I  had  kept  an  eye  out  for  the 
leaves  and  seed-capsules  of  the  Ram's-Head  Moccasin- 
Flower  {CyPripedium  arietbiuni),  and  had  revisited  the 
Amidon  Woods,  where  Lorenna  found  the  first  speci- 
men for  me,  but  without  discovering  any  new  plants. 
On  Sunday,  the  second  day  of  July,  a  friend  and  my- 
self drove  to  Pownal  Centre.  We  returned  by  the 
Gulf,  or  "  Witch-Hollow  "  path,  — a  cross-town  road 
seldom  travelled,  although  shaded  and  pleasant.  Here 
the  sounds  of  the  winds,  breathing  and  reverberating 
through  the  narrow  vales,  then  dying  mournfully  in 
the  distance,  intimidated  the  early  settlers,  who,  being 
superstitious,  attributed  the  sounds  to  the  witches  so 
prevalent  in  the  history  of  New  England.  To-day 
there  are  no  more  dreadful  sounds  in  these  glens  than 
the  hoots  of  owls  and  the  piping  of  frogs  in  the  Chalk 
Pond  pools. 

We  were  nearing  the  pond  region.  Just  west  of  the 
road  there  is  a  beautiful,  ever-bubbling  spring,  known 
far  and  wide  to  tourists  sauntering  to  Mann  Mountain 
beyond.  From  this  I  wished  to  get  a  draught  of  de- 
licious water  for  my  friend,  so  I  hitched  the  old  horse 
to  a  tree  by  the  roadside.  Somehow  this  morning  I 
lost  my  bearings,  and  entered  the  wrong  ravine.    I  had 


IVam's-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollow     99 

supposed  that  I  could  find  the  spring  in  the  dark;  but 
I  penetrated  the  thicket  a  little  north  of  the  right  place, 
by  the  slab-bridge  where,  in  rainy  seasons,  the  water 
drains  from  the  hills.  Hunting  around,  however,  to 
learn  where  the  spring  lay,  I  stumbled  straight  upon  a 
little  company  of  Ram's-Head  Lady's  Slippers.  In 
my  pleasure  and  excitement,  I  exclaimed,  "  Here  are 
Ram's-Heads  !  "  frightening  my  friend  so  that  she  ran 
clear  out  of  the  thicket.  She  soon  returned,  however, 
when  assured  that  there  was  no  danger,  and  admired 
the  rare  little  flock  with  me.  There  were  only  a  dozen 
plants  in  the  group,  none  of  course  in  blossom;  but 
several  bore  plump  seed-capsules,  proving  that  they 
had  bloomed  early  in  the  season.  I  determined  to 
return  to  this  nook  another  day. 

The  next  morning  I  started  off  cross-lots,  over  the 
hills  afoot,  to  my  sylvan  shades,  carrying  my  usual 
basket  and  kit  of  tools,  with  an  added  two-quart  pail, 
which  I  promised  to  fill  with  raspberries.  These 
berries  were  plentiful,  I  had  observed,  through  the 
John- Fallow  sheep  pastures.  Here  I  found  a  spring 
trickling  from  the  shelving  slate  rocks,  and  this  guided 
me  through  a  meandering  network  of  swamps,  all  the 
way  to  Cold  Spring,  in  Witch  Hollow  below. 

Major  frisked  about  among  the  fields,  and  we  had  a 
happy  time  sliding  down  the  dry  and  slippery  pasture 
slopes.  There,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  we  entered  a 
deep,  dark  woodland, — just  Major  and  I,  who  are  faith- 
ful, congenial  comrades.  My  constant  hound  is  ever 
ready  to  follow  my  footsteps,  and  if  he  chances  to  lose 


lOO        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

me,  I  soon  hear  his  yelp  on  my  track.  Dear  old  Major! 
I  value  you  more  than  I  tell  you  by  these  gentle  strokes, 
— you,  whose  searching  instincts  would  find  me  out 
wherever  I  might  be,  and  whose  keen  scent  of  danger 
is  my  constant  protection ! 

Everything  was  still  in  the  hollow  to-day,  save  for 
the  croaking  of  the  bull-frogs  and  the  buzzing  of  flies 
and  humming  of  bees,  echoing  from  the  pools  and  nu- 
merous flowers  of  Solomon's  Seal  along  the  edges  of 
the  swamp.  It  was  noon  when  I  reached  my  colony 
of  Ram's-Heads,  and  I  was  glad  to  be  sheltered  in 
these  cool  glades  this  sweltering  July  day.  I  took 
note  near  what  species  of  trees  my  rare  Cypripediums 
grew,  and  found  that  they  were  rooted  in  loose  leaf 
mould,  from  long  decayed  heaps  of  pine  branches  and 
tree-tops,  left  by  the  woodman  when  the  forest  was 
first  hewn  from  these  slopes.  Here,  also,  stood  crum- 
bling stumps,  and  prostrate  trunks  lay  at  full  length, 
decaying  in  the  marl  and  peat.  Among  this  moulder- 
ing soil  was  a  pile  of  four-foot  white  birchwood — near 
some  of  the  best  plants  of  Ram's-Head,  three  of  which 
bore  maturing  seed-pods.  Directly  through  the  group, 
a  wood-path  wound  around  the  hill  from  Cold  Spring 
toward  the  north,  worn  by  the  small  wild  animals  of 
the  forest. 

Just  east  of  the  plants  I  had  found  on  Sunday,  I  dis- 
covered at  least  fifty  more,  withdrawn  to  themselves,  in 
aristocratic  exclusiveness.  I  lifted  three  of  the  oldest 
and  largest  plants,  two  of  which  bore  large  seed-pods, 
taking  them  up  carefully  and  with  plenty  of  soil,  so  as 


The  Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis.     (Habcitaria  Hookcriana.) 
This  species  is  (.lusely   relaled   to  the    Large    Round-Leaved    Orchis    (llaba 
rbicidata)  and  H^ibcnaria  obloiiRiiolia,  with  which  it  grows  in  company. 


IVain*s-Heacls  in  WitcK  Hollo>v    loi 

not  to  disturb  the  fibrous  roots.  The  layer  of  leaf 
mould  was  loosely  strewn,  and  not  so  deep  here  as  I 
had  expected  to  find  it.  Scarcely  three  inches  beneath 
the  surface,  I  came  to  a  bright,  whitish  gravel.  The 
spot  was  situated  on  a  sloping  hillside,  which  seemed 
to  surround  a  hollow  among  the  hills,  where  a  glacial 
lake  had  formerly  slept.  It  is  called  to-day  "  Chalk 
Pond,"  the  water  being  whitish  at  times  in  the  streams 
flowing  from  the  heart  of  the  region.  The  soil  was 
rich  with  unfathomable  depths  of  peat  and  marl  in  the 
lake  bed  below.  Peat  is  formed  by  decaying  moss, 
ferns,  and  vegetable  matter  in  general,  while  the  marl, 
which  lends  a  chalky  appearance  to  the  water  and 
gravel,  comes  from  the  crumbling  and  decayed  shells 
abounding  in  the  soil.  This  loam  seems  to  be  valu- 
able, and  the  pond  bed  is  now  well  drained  for  the  pur- 
pose of  selling  the  substance  as  a  fertilizer  for  lawns. 

White  birch,  chestnut,  pines,  and  nearer  the  pond 
meadow  below,  beautiful  elms  towered  skyward. 
From  this  corner  I  searched  the  hillsides  to  the  north, 
along  the  path.  At  the  feet  of  some  chestnut  saplings, 
I  found  the  Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis  i^Habenaria 
Hookeriand).  The  plant  was  young,  and  apparently 
had  not  put  forth  blossoms  this  summer.  They  ap- 
pear in  early  June  in  this  region.  Leaving  the  plant 
to  study  another  year,  I  sought  the  southern  hillside, 
and  came  suddenly  upon  a  sight  which  I  shall  not 
soon  forget.  Before  me  stood  the  Great  Round-Leaved 
Orchis  {Habenaria  orbicidatd),  with  its  two  huge, 
round,  flat-lying  leaves  of  a  soft  emerald  green,  about 


I02        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

eight  inches  long  by  seven  wide.  It  bore  a  tall, 
bracted  spike  of  greenish- white  flowers, — strange,  fan- 
tastic shapes,  trimmed  with  spurs  and  hoods  and  capes. 
This  spike  of  flowers  rose  straight  up  from  between  the 
two  round  basal  leaves.  It  was  about  two  feet  high 
originally,  but  had  been  broken,  doubtless  by  the  hail- 
storms of  June.  The  common  names  of  the  Round- 
L,eaved  Orchises  hereabout  are  "Shin-plaster"  and 
"Heal-all,"  since  they  are  applied  to  bruised  shins, 
and  are  used  as  plasters  for  weak  lungs.  Thoreau,  in 
Maine  Woods,  gives  even  larger  dimensions  of  the 
Great  Green  Orchis  found  by  him  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mud  Pond,  Moosehead  and  Chamberlain  Carries, 
Maine, — where  he  reported  it  very  common  in  July. 

I  sat  for  some  time  admiring  this  weird  plant;  when 
finding  that  it  had  sown  seed  the  former  season,  I 
decided  to  transport  it  to  a  garden  of  civilization, 
to  see  if  it  would  take  kindly  to  cultivation.  Then  I 
turned  westward,  following  the  sluggish  yet  sparkling 
stream  down  from  Cold  Spring.  At  times  the  stream 
was  almost  hidden  by  moss,  through  which  it  crept 
slowly. 

This  brook  enters  a  large,  open,  meadow  marsh, — 
the  ancient  lake  bed  of  which  I  have  spoken  before, — 
the  Chalk  Pond  hollow.  Since  it  is  now  drained,  it 
appears  to  be  a  promising  soil  in  which  to  seek  the 
Purple-Fringed  Habenarias  in  the  proper  season.  I 
found  the  leaves  of  a  plant  which  I  believe  to  have 
been  that  of  one  of  the  Purple-Fringed  Orchises,  but 
from  its  producing  no  flowers  this  season  I  was  not 


IVam's-Heads  in  WitcK  Hollow    103 

able  to  designate  it.  Here,  also,  small  ferns  and  lux- 
uriant brakes  were  sheltered  amid  the  low  sumach 
bushes  and  willows.  Wild  grape-vines  entwined  the 
trunks  of  trees,  reaching  far  into  the  tops  of  the  high 
elms.  One  immense  elm  had  been  blown  over  by 
some  northeast  hurricane,  which  had  quite  recently 
swept  through  this  hollow.  The  upturned  roots  of 
this  ruined  tree  had  apparently  grown  about  a  deeply 
buried  fellow  in  the  peat  and  marl,  for  they  still 
retained  the  impression  of  the  buried  trunk  about 
which  they  had  clung.  In  the  mud  and  water  from 
which  the  tree  had  been  torn,  lay  in  its  deep  grave 
this  log,  bare  of  its  outer  bark,  but  still  sound  and 
round.  It  was  now  well  water-soaked,  after  having 
been  so  long  sealed  from  the  air  and  light  beneath 
the  earth.  How  many  centuries  it  had  been  buried 
there,  no  one  can  guess.  The  now  apparently  aged 
elm  upon  the  surface  had  torn  up  several  feet  of  earth 
as  it  fell.  Forest  after  forest  had  thus  fallen,  a  new 
one  rising  over  it,  eventually  to  give  place  to  another, 
and  itself  to  form  a  strata  of  mould,  enriching  the  soil 
of  these  bogs  which  yield  so  many  floral  treasures. 

I  did  not  remain  in  this  meadow  long,  as  it  proved 
still  too  damp  to  walk  through  grasses  and  sedges 
without  water-tight  boots.  Coming  out  of  this  place 
at  the  foot  of  the  little  ravine  below  the  colony  of 
Ram's-Heads,  I  ran  upon  numerous  oblong,  waxen, 
green  leaves,  which  at  first  reminded  me  of  the  similar 
leaves  of  the  Pink  Moccasin  -  Flower  {Cypripedium 
acaule).     But  on  closer  search  for  their  seed-capsules,  I 


I04        Dog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

found  the  fresh  bracted  processes  of  a  spike  containing 
several  ovaries  instead  of  one,  as  in  the  Moccasin- 
Flower.  Evidently  this  plant  was  not  a  species  of 
Cypripedium  ;  and  although  the  scape  was  broken, 
enough  of  the  alternating  process  of  twisting  ovaries 
remained  to  assure  me  that  I  had  found  a  colony  of  the 
early  and  Showy  Orchis  {^Orchis  spedabilis),  which  is 
one  of  the  first  species  of  orchids  to  bloom  in  New 
England.  Indeed,  it  is  said  to  open  the  orchid  season 
as  early  as  May  19th,  and  is  found  with  the  Wake- 
Robins  and  Arbutus,  when  the  woods  are  otherwise 
bare  and  brown.     I  secured  three  of  the  finest  plants. 

My  basket  was  now  laden  with  choice  species,  in- 
cluding those  of  the  Ram's- Head,  the  Showy  Orchis, 
and  two  species  of  Habenaria,  a  sister  genus  of  Orchis 
spedabilis.  The  locality  had  proven  a  treasure-ground 
to  me,  for  here  were  both  the  Great  and  the  Small 
Round-L,eaved  Orchis  (^Habenaria  orbicidata  and  Habe- 
naria Hookeriaiia) ;  while  the  Tall  Green  Orchis 
{Habe7iaria  hyperborea^  dwells  in  the  deeper  bogs  along 
the  stream. 

The  leaves  of  the  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  {Habenaria 
grandiflora)  are  hidden  in  the  borders  of  the  open 
meadow.  I  found  a  few  plants  of  that  very  rare  orchid 
called  Adder' s-Mouth  {Achroanthcs  unifolia),  seldom  if 
ever  before  collected  in  this  town.  The  plants  are  so 
small  and  inconspicuous  that  one  may  search  long 
without  seeing  them.  Two  stood  among  the  select 
company  of  Ram's- Heads,  while  others  grew  along  a 
damp,  silent  brook  bed  that  had  ceased  to  flow, —  a 


The  Showy  Orchis 
ShiiwiriK  the  jilant  nearly  natural  size. 
Spring  Orchis  {Orchis  iiiascula)  of  England, 
native  orchids. 


(Orchis  sf^cctahiljs.) 
This  species  is  closely  allied  with  the  Early 


It  is  the  most  highly  organized  of  our 


IVam*s-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollow^     105 

ravine    formed    during   spring   freshets  and    melting 
snows. 

This  pigmy  of  the  Orchid  Family — with  its  pale  and 
odorless  flower  and  its  unassuming  habit  of  concealing 
itself  in  the  darkest  recesses  of  our  forests  and  swamps 
— grows  plentifully  in  its  native  haunts  to  the  north. 

I  had  searched  long  and  closely  for  the  last  month, 
hoping  to  find  the  Large  Purple  -  Fringed  Orchis. 
Thoreau  says  :  "It  is  remarkable  that  this,  one  of 
the  fairest  of  all  our  flowers,  should  also  be  one  of 
the  rarest  —  for  the  most  part  not  seen  at  all.  .  .  . 
The  village  belle  never  sees  this  more  delicate  belle  of 
the  swamp.  ...  A  beauty  reared  in  the  shade  of 
a  convent,  who  has  never  strayed  beyond  the  convent 
bell.  Only  the  skunk  or  the  owl,  or  other  inhabitant 
of  the  swamp,  beholds  it."  ' 

The  Yellow-Fringed  Orchis  follows  later,  blooming 
through  August  and  September,  —  the  blossoming 
season  of  the  flaming  Cardinal-Flower,  whose  brilliant 
coloring  brightens  the  dark  shades  along  streams  in 
moist  woods.  The  Yellow-Fringed  Habenarias  are 
found  growing  with  the  Pitcher  Plant,  and  often  fill 
the  sphagnous  swamps  with  a  glowing  mass  of  orange- 
flamed  torches.  Gray  considered  them  among  our 
handsomest  vSpecies  of  Habenaria.  They  are  abundant 
in  swamps  about  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  while  the 
White-Fringed  Orchises  seek  the  coast-lines  of  Massa- 
chusetts, although  also  found  sparingly  in  the  high- 
lands. 

'  Thoreau,  Summer,  pp.  84-85.     1884. 


io6        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

Species  of  Habenaria  are  called  False  Orchises,  while 
species  of  Orchis  are  known  as  True  Orchises.  These 
species  are  members  of  sister  genera,  but  all  belong  to 
the  Orchid  Family.  There  are  but  three  True  Orchises 
found  on  the  continent  north  of  Mexico,  while  not  less 
than  forty-four  species  of  Habenaria  are  reported  for 
the  same  area. 

The  genus  of  True  Orchises  comprises  eighty  species, 
distributed  throughout  the  temperate  zone  of  the 
world;  while  of  Habenaria  there  are  about  five  hun- 
dred species.  Orchis  spedabilis  and  Orchis  rotundifolia 
are  found  in  Vermont.  The  latter  is  the  rarer,  and 
limited  in  its  range  from  northern  New  England  to 
Greenland.  The  Orchis  spectabilis  ranges  from  Ontario 
southward  to  Georgia.  The  third  species.  Orchis 
aristata,  is  endemic  to  the  wooded  regions  of  Alaska. 

Our  common  Showy  Orchis  resembles  the  Early 
Spring  Orchis  {Orchis  mascula)  of  England,  which 
Darwin  never  tired  of  praising.  The  high  organism 
distinguishes  species  of  this  genus  as  True  Orchises. 
The  origin  of  this  distinction  lies  in  the  complex  struc- 
ture of  the  organs  of  fertilization.  The  stigmatic  lobes, 
or  female  organs,  and  the  anther  containing  the  pol- 
linia  or  male  substance  in  fertilizing,  are  enclosed  in 
this  genus  in  a  pouch  or  hooded  fold  above  and  within 
the  anterior  portion  of  the  orifice  of  the  spur.  In  False 
Orchises,  the  stigma  and  anther  are  naked,  and  their 
glands  are  exposed.  They  are  also  known  as  Naked 
Gland  Orchises.  The  more  complex  the  structure,  the 
more  highly  organized  becomes   the  species.     Orchis 


K.ain*s-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollow   107 

spedabilis  displays  a  marvellous  intelligence  in  its  mech- 
anism for  inviting  fertilization  and  cross- fertilization. 
The  enclosure  of  the  glands  within  the  hooded  pouch 
protects  the  pollinia  from  rains  or  improper  insects. 

The  moth  finds  a  resting-place  on  the  petaled  plat- 
form, while  he  pushes  his  tongue  and  head  into  the 
depths  of  the  dainty  spur  attached  to  the  flower  an- 
teriorly. In  doing  this  he  forces  his  forehead  against 
the  viscid  lobes  of  the  stigma,  situated  in  the  back,  op- 
posite to  the  entrance  of  the  spur.  In  pushing,  as  he 
must,  to  reach  the  nectar  in  the  twisting  spur,  he  rup- 
tures the  interior  membrane  of  the  rostellum  above  the 
orifice  containing  the  pollinia.  Each  mass  of  this 
fertilizing  substance  in  this  species  contains  viscid 
disks  or  handles,  fastened  with  elastic  hair-like  caudi- 
cles  attached  to  the  pollinia.  When  the  insect  ruptures 
the  cellular  tissues  of  the  anther,  these  disks  shoot  out 
of  their  sockets,  and  fasten  firmly  to  his  head.  As  he 
flies  away,  he  possesses  one  or  two  pollinia,  unique  in 
their  completeness.  In  visiting  the  next  spike  of  the 
Showy  Orchis,  he  repeats  the  insertion  of  his  tongue 
and  forehead  in  the  spur  of  the  nectary.  The  golden 
horn  of  pollinum  thus  rubs  against  the  viscid  surface 
of  the  stigma,  and  fertilization  and  cross- fertilization  are 
brought  about.  The  insect  thus  accomplishes  all  that 
Nature  has  designed  for  the  future  of  the  species,  even 
if  only  a  small  portion  of  the  pollinum  is  absorbed  by 
the  attractive  surface  of  the  stigma.  One  mass  fast- 
ened to  the  head  of  a  moth  would,  in  this  manner, 
fertilize  several  flowers. 


io8        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

According  to  Darwin,  orchids  with  short-spurred 
nectaries  are  fertilized  by  bees  and  flies  ;  while  those 
with  long  spurs  are  visited  by  moths  and  butterflies 
with  long  proboscides. 

The  structure  of  various  species  calls  for  special  in- 
sects to  fertilize  and  cross-fertilize  them.  The  failure  to 
attract  the  proper  agencies  has  led  Nature  slowly  to 
change  the  organs  of  many  orchids  so  that  self-ferti- 
lization might  be  accomplished.  In  this  way,  "an  enor- 
mous amount  of  extinction"  must  have  taken  place. 
A  wide  gap  of  obliteration  intervenes  between  species 
of  Orchis  and  Cypripedium,  the  former  being  the  most 
highly  organized  and  the  latter  the  lowest,  or  abnormal 
species  of  the  Orchid  Family. 

The  species  included  under  the  great  genus  Ha- 
benaria  grow  more  abundantly  than  any  other  on 
our  continent.  It  is  not  unusual  to  find  five  or  six 
species  of  this  genus  in  a  neighborhood  such  as  the 
Bogs  of  Etchowog  or  Witch  Hollow  region.  In  the 
latter  locality  I  found  four  species  of  Habenaria,  two 
of  Cypripedium,  one  of  Achroanthes,  and  one  of  Or- 
chis, making  in  all  eight  rare  species  for  a  very  small 
area  of  swamp-land. 

Soon  after  I  reached  home  with  my  basket  of  roots, 
the  front  porch  exhibited  a  long  row  of  pots  and  tin 
cans,  where  stood  my  transplanted  treasures,  ultimately 
to  be  placed  in  the  garden  of  a  friend  in  New  Haven. 

It  has  always  been  a  source  of  wonder  that  Thoreau 
did  not  find  more  species  of  the  Orchid  Family  in  the 
conifer   swamps  in  the  Maine  woods.     His  journeys 


IVam's-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollo"w   109 

made  in  Jul3%  through  pine  and  cedar  and  mud-pond  re- 
gions, should  have  led  to  the  discovery  of  more  species 
than  he  mentions.  He  writes  of  but  three  species  of 
Habenaria,  one  of  Ladies'  Tresses  {Gyrostachys) ,  and 
one  of  Twayblade  {Lcptorchis  liliifolia).  To  be  sure, 
he  found  the  Great  Round-Leaved  Habenaria  and  the 
two  Purple- Fringed  species  in  abundance,  but  there  is 
no  record  of  a  Cypripedium  in  his  data  save  as  reported 
for  Concord. 

Species  of  Orchis  and  Habenaria  are  among  the  old- 
est orchids  known  in  the  records  of  ancient  herbalists 
and  naturalists.  Both  of  our  native  Purple-Fringed  Or- 
chises (^Habenaria  grandiflora  and  Habe^iaria  psycodes) 
are  closely  allied  with  Orchis  morio,  found  so  abun- 
dantly in  the  fields  of  England.  Pliny,  in  the  time  of 
Christ,  knew  this  plant  as  Orchis  or  Serapias,  which 
F6e  has  identified  with  the  Orchis  morio  now  known 
in  Europe.  This  species  is  more  nearly  related  to 
our  Small  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  than  to  the  larger 
species. 

The  origin  of  the  name  Orchis  arose  from  the  ancient 
lore  of  classical  mythology.  Orchis,  a  son  of  a  rural 
god  named  Patellanus,  failed  to  observe  the  rules  of 
politeness  while  attending  a  festival  of  Bacchus,  and 
offended  one  of  the  priestesses  with  his  rude  behavior. 
He  was  reported  to  the  attendants  for  punishment,  who 
in  anger  tore  him  to  pieces.  His  father  Patellanus, 
and  his  mother,  that  sweet  nymph  Acolasia,  sought 
the  co-deities'  influence,  who,  it  is  said,  urged  the  su- 
perior gods  to  command  a  flower  to  rise  from  the  earth 


I  lo         Bo^-Trottin^  for  Orchids 

perpetuating  the  name  and  memory  of  their  son.  Thus 
arose  the  strange  untamable  species  of  this  family. 

The  species  now  known  under  genus  Orchis  and 
Habeuaria  had  various  common  names  in  ancient  lit- 
erature. There  were  five  kinds  of  Orchis  which  the 
Greeks  commonly  called  Cynorchis  ;  this  became  in 
Latin  Testiadus  canis  and  Tcsticulus  morionis,  and  later 
in  England,  Orchis  morio.  Satyrion  was  also  an  an- 
cient common  English  name  for  the  species  of  Cynorchis 
known  to  the  Greek  apothecaries. 

In  the  sixteenth  century  the  Purple-Fringed  Orchises 
of  England  were  known  as  Satyrio7i  Royall,  Noble 
Satyrion^  Palma  Christi,  and  Royall  Sta7idergrasse .  In 
fact,  all  species  of  orchids  in  1578  were  described  under 
the  group  of  plants  designated  as  Standlewort,  or 
Standergrasse. ' 

Shakespeare  mentions  them  in  Hamlet  as  "Long- 
Purples"  and  "  Dead-Men's  Fingers."  Tennyson  also 
speaks  of  them  as  Long- Purples  in  A  Dirge.  Rev. 
Mr.  Ellacomb,  in  Robinson' s  Garden,  alludes  to  these 
orchises  as  "  Dead-Men's  Thumbs." 

The  Great  Royall  Satyrion  of  England  and  Ger- 
many, known  to  Dodoens  and  Lyte  in  1578,  was  found 
in  meadows  and  moist  woods.  The  flowers  were  light 
purple,  and  gave  forth  sweet  perfume.  The  roots  were 
described  as  double,  like  a  pair  of  hands,  and  each 
palm  was  parted  into  four  or  five  small  roots  like  fin- 
gers ;  one  palm  being  withered  and  spongy,  the  other 
full  and  sound.  From  this  peculiarity  of  form  many 
'  Dodoens,  History  of  Plants,  p.  156.     1578. 


L 


Closely  allied  to  Habenaria  psycodcs  of  New  England,  and  to  the  English  L(3ng 
Purples  (Orchis  Morio)  of  ancient  literature.  They  are  mentioned  by  Shakespeare 
in  Hamlet. 

"  There  with  fantastic  garlands  did  she  come 
Of  crow-flowers,  nettles,  daisies,  and  long  purpk-s." 

••  Hamlet.-  Act  IV.Sc.  7. 


Ram's-Heads  in  WitcH  Hollo-w   1 1 1 

of  the  names  were  undoubtedly  derived.  There  was 
also  another  small  purple  species  of  Royall  Satyrion, 
with  a  perfume  like  musk.  The  roots  were  like  the 
larger  purple  Royall  Satyrion. 

The  roots  of  Royall  Satyrion  were  used  as  remedies 
against  many  diseases.  "If  an  inch  or  as  much  as 
one's  thombe  of  this  roote  be  pound  and  ministered  in 
wine,  it  is  good  for  many  diseases,"  writes  Dr.  Nicho- 
las Nicols,  according  to  Dodoens  and  Lyte  in  1578.' 

These  orchises  have  figured  in  literature  from  time 
unknown,  and  although  shy  in  New  England,  seeking 
the  haunts  of  moose  and  bear,  they  delight  still  to 
grow  in  hearing  of  the  cathedral  bells  in  old  England, 
where  they  are  the  common  flowers  of  meadow  and 
borders  of  corn-fields. 

The  proverb,  that  all  things  come  round  to  him 
who  waits,  may  for  the  orchis-hunter  be  paraphrased 
rather,  "  All  things  come  round  to  him  who  tramps." 
I  was  destined  sooner  or  later,  by  lonely  lake  or  moun- 
tain bog,  to  find  the  Purple- Fringed  Orchis  for  which 
I  had  so  long  searched.  Eater  in  the  season,  on  July 
8th,  I  visited  Notch  Brook,  North  Adams,  a  stream 
flowing  down  through  the  northern  Notch  Valley. 
Wandering  past  the  beautiful  Cascade,  I  slowly  ex- 
plored the  wooded  vales  among  the  Ragged  Mountains. 
The  afternoon  was  sultry;  the  sun  pouring  down  upon 
the  parched  sod  of  the  rocky  pasture-land  had  shriv- 
elled up  the  grasses,  and  now  the  bushes  themselves 

'  Lyte's  translation  of  Dodoens'  History  of  Plants,  pp.  161- 
162  (I  ed.,  1578). 


1 1 2        Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

were  turning  brown,  and  the  leaves  curling  up  on  their 
edges.  Through  the  trembling  haze,  partially  due  to 
the  vile  smoke  of  civilization,  which  arose  from  the 
various  factories  in  the  City,  the  sun  appeared  as  a 
round,  red  ball  of  fire. 

I  had  chosen  a  poor  day  for  walking,  but  there  were 
cool,  shady  retreats  on  the  way,  where  I  could  find  rest 
and  shelter.  I  clambered  down  from  the  slopes  of 
Aurora's  Hill,  into  the  shadow  of  the  valley's  smoke, 
crossing  the  sluggish  stream  of  the  Ashuilticook,  by 
way  of  the  iron  bridge  in  Flag's  Meadows.  I  climbed 
to  the  swamps  along  the  Ragged  Hills  leading  to  The 
Notch.  Here  the  slopes  of  pasture-lands  above  State 
Street  are  clothed  with  bushes  and  brambles,  through 
which  rough,  stony  paths  wind,  where  dwell  the  chil- 
dren of  sunny  Italy.  Witt's  I,edge  of  lime  and  marble 
stone  lies  along  this  swell.  These  rough  paths,  with 
wooden  steps  leading  summitward,  were  new  to  me. 

Upon  the  brow  of  the  hill  was  a  small  pond  hidden 
at  the  head  of  an  extensive  swamp,  amid  willows  and 
lush  tangled  grasses,  where  little  lads  were  bathing. 
It  was  one  of  those  wild  mountainous  pasture-lands 
where  blackberry  briars  and  sweet-fern  run  riot,  and 
where  the  pepper-bushes  and  tall  brakes  shed  forth  an 
aromatic  perfume  under  the  full  blaze  of  the  summer 
sun.  About  the  drier  portions  of  the  swamp  were 
well-worn  cow-paths,  winding  irregularly  about  the 
hummocks  and  boulders;  and  along  the  borders  grew 
many  familiar  weeds  and  vines  amid  the  swails  and 
flags. 


The  Blackberry  Blossoms  from  Mount  CEta,  Pownal,  Vermont. 


IVam*s-Heacls  in  WitcK  Hollow   113 

My  boots  being  high  and  waterproof,  I  waded  warily- 
through  the  coarse  lush  grasses  and  cat-tail  flags,  en- 
countering many  deep  pools.  As  I  pushed  forward, 
my  heart  sang  in  the  very  joy  of  living: 

Is  this  a  time  to  be  cloudy  and  sad, 

When  our  mother  Nature  laughs  around  ; 

When  even  the  deep  blue  heavens  look  glad, 

And  gladness  breathes  from  the  blossoming  ground  ?  ' 

At  the  west  end  of  the  cow-path  I  came  suddenly 
upon  one  tall,  Purple-Fringed  Orchis.  This  was  my 
first  good  fortune  in  finding  this  beautiful  species,  al- 
though I  have  since  found  many.  I  stood  long  in 
wonderment  and  silent  adoration  before  this  fragrant 
beauty  of  the  weird  and  lonely  bogland,  rearing  its 
strange  fringed  petals  high  above  the  common  swamp 
grasses.  Searching  about  to  the  north  and  south,  I 
found  a  colony  of  six  more  spikes,  which  assured  me 
that  I  would  be  justified  in  taking  the  first  plant  I  had 
found;  and  placing  it  with  the  utmost  care  in  my 
crowded  vasculum,  I  then  proceeded  mountainward. 

On  the  very  brow  of  the  hill  I  wound  around  to  the 
left,  entering  the  wood-road  leading  to  the  Notch  Val- 
ley. A  beautiful  cold  spring  gushes  out  in  the  heart 
of  this  wood,  under  the  hill  at  the  right,  near  the  Cas- 
cade path.  I  freshened  my  flowers  here,  and  hurried 
on  to  the  famous  foot-bridge  over  Notch  Brook,  plung- 
ing on  down  through  the  hemlock  wood  to  get  a 
hurried  view  of  the  Cascade  below. 

'  Bryant,  The  Gladness  of  Nature. 


1 14        Bo^-Trottin^  for  Orchids 

As  I  returned  homeward  over  the  heated  fields,  I 
found  the  atmosphere  verj^  exhausting;  and  the  flowers, 
although  protected  in  my  botanizing  can,  were  wilted. 
Measuring  the  broad  expanse  that  intervened  between 
me  and  the  hill  of  Aurora's  Lake,  the  journey  seemed 
interminable.  The  distance  was  finally  covered,  how- 
ever, and  both  my  fatigue  and  the  fact  that  I  was  late 
for  tea  were  forgotten  in  the  ecstasy  of  having  found 
that  first  Purple-Fringed  Orchis.  This  spike  grew, 
and  every  bud  expanded,  until  within  a  few  days  it 
became  beautiful  indeed,  giving  forth  its  delicate 
fragrance,  and  proving  itself  the  prize  I  had  esteemed 
it,  as  I  lifted  it  from  the  dark  earth  of  the  bogland  of 
northern  Berkshire. 


IX 
Over  the  HucKleberry  Plains 

Thou  sbalt  gaze,  at  ouce, 
Here  on  white  villages,  and  tilth,  and  herds, 
And  swarming  roads,  and  there  on  solitudes 
That  only  hear  the  torrent  and  the  wind. 

Bryant,  Mo?iument  Motmtain. 

ON  July  17th,  two  days  before  departing  from 
the  Hoosac  Valley,  I  was  guided  to  a 
group  of  swamps  lying  along  the  summit 
of  the  Domelet.  The  brow  of  this  moun- 
tain is  yearly  devastated  by  forest  fires,  after  which  it 
appears  quite  barren,  save  for  the  trees  and  bushes 
protected  in  the  swamps.  A  few  tall  trees,  branchless 
and  blackened,  stand  as  sentinels  about  the  huckle- 
berry plains.  But  soon  the  young  and  tender  growth 
of  oak,  chestnut,  and  birch  springs  up  on  these  rocky 
ridges,  while  the  clearings  everywhere  are  carpeted 
with  low  blueberry  bushes. 

Between  the  Domelet  and  the  Dome  lies  a  valley 
known  as  "  Rocky  Hollow."  The  ledges  of  rock, 
walling  it  about,  bear  deep  erosions  in  evidence  of  the 
Ice  Age,  when  a  gigantic  glacier  once  crowned  and 
rounded  the  Dome.  The  formation  of  these  deep  vales 
lying'at  its  base  is  due  to  the  moraines  which  flowed 
down  from  the  ice-capped  heights. 


1 1 6        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

The  little  swamp-like  pockets  along  the  summit  of 
the  Domelet,  where  luxuriant  trees  locate  the  moisture 
of  springs,  were  formed,  perchance,  when  a  deeper  lake 
rolled  over  this  peak. 

In  ascending  the  Domelet,  we  drove  around  the 
northern  brow  of  the  mountain,  up  by  the  County 
Road, — frequently  called  the  "  Dummy  Road  "in  Pow- 
nal,  because  a  deaf  and  dumb  man  once  lived  in  the 
vicinity.  Soon  we  turned  off  eastward,  beyond  the 
Dummy  Farm,  through  the  low  bushes,  until  we  came 
to  a  shady  vale.  We  unhitched  our  horses  from  the 
wagon,  and  fastened  them  to  trees;  then  we  proceeded 
to  explore  the  hills  and  plains,  carrying  pails  for 
berries,  and  a  basket  and  spade  for  collecting  roots. 
The  flora  of  this  region  appeared  luxuriant  all  along 
the  road,  as  well  as  over  the  ledges  and  plains,  I 
found  great  numbers  of  plants  of  the  Pink  Moccasin- 
Flower  {Cypripedium  acaule).  The  unusually  large 
leaves  were  of  a  deep  dark  green,  with  marked 
veining.  Many  stems  bore  seed-pods,  which  were 
the  largest  capsules  for  this  species  I  have  ever  seen, 
being  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  with  circumference  in 
proportion. 

The  beautiful  emerald-green  leaves  and  bright  ber- 
ries of  the  lily,  Clintonia  borealis,  were  almost  as  com- 
mon as  the  piles  of  sphagnum  and  the  tall  brakes  and 
ferns  on  the  edges  of  these  swamps ;  yet  everything 
about  recorded  the  ravages  of  the  recent  hailstorms. 
Very  few  seed-capsules  could  have  remained  to  mature 
their  seed  this  season,  as  most  of  the  plants  were  either 


The  Yellow  Clintonia  {Cliiitom 
Mount   CEta 


hon-<i!is).   Rattlesnake   Brook  Region, 
Pownal,  Vermont. 


Over  tHe  HucKleberry  Plains    1 1  7 

badly  bruised,  or  broken  from  the  root,  causing  the 
ovary  of  the  flower  to  droop  and  wither.  The  low 
huckleberry  bushes,  known  as  the  dwarf  black  species 
{Gaylussacia  diimosa),  were  also  damaged  by  the  hail- 
storms, and  were  without  fruit. 

We  came  upon  numbers  of  trees  shattered  by  light- 
ning, and  blackened  pine  stubs  and  "  turnovers  "  min- 
gled among  the  beautiful  evergreens  of  the  tangled 
swamp.  lyovv  blueberry  bushes,  with  rich  heaps  of 
ashes  about  their  roots,  covered  the  rolling,  rock- 
bound  plains,  as  far  as  one  could  see.  Huckleberries 
usually  thrive  in  the  trail  of  forest  fires.  Indeed,  the 
spring  and  autumn  fires  are  often  started  by  the 
huckleberry  venders  for  the  sole  purpose  of  securing  a 
better  yield  of  fruit  for  supplying  the  market.  These 
berries  are  among  the  small  fruits  which  have  not  thus 
far  taken  kindly  to  cultivation,  as  has  nearly  every 
other  wild  berry  in  the  markets  to-day. 

We  found  the  third  swamp  eastward  marked  by  the 
odd  spires  of  the  Scrub  Pine  {Pinus  diva7-icaia),  and  the 
Red  Pine  {Pinus  reshiosd),  which  is  often  wrongly  called 
Norway  Pine.  These  evergreen  trees  were  known  to 
Theophrastus  before  Christ.  There  were  two  kinds, 
the  wild  and  the  garden  trees.  Many  species  of  each 
are  described,  the  pines  and  spruces  not  being  dis- 
tinguished from  each  other. 

I  observed  also  many  Dwarf  Black  or  Double  Spruces 
{^Picea  Mariana), — very  dark  green  trees  with  pretty 
cones.  The  name  for  this  tree  originated  with  Theo- 
phrastus.    It  became  in  the  L,atin  Pinus  Mariana. 


ii8         Dog'-Trotting  for  Orchids 

Frequently  I  saw  a  lone  Balsam-Fir  tree,— Adies  bal- 
samea.  The  name  Abies  comes  down  to  us  from  re- 
mote antiquity,  since  this  tree  grew  in  Greece,  and  was 
valued  by  the  learned  physicians  before  Christ  for  the 
balsamic  resin  found  in  the  bark  of  young  trees.  Mat- 
thiolus  and  Peter  Bellon  described  this  substance  as 
bitter  and  aromatic,  similar  to  citron-pills.  In  Eng- 
land, this  resin  was  known  to  the  writers  of  the  six- 
teenth century  as  the  Turpentine  of  Venice.  In 
Canada,  where  this  tree  is  abundant,  it  is  called 
"  Balm-of-Gilead  Fir,"  or  "Canada  Balsam."  It  is 
common  on  the  summit  of  the  Dome,  The  powerful 
balsamic  fluid  drawn  from  it  is  now  used  medicinally. 
This  species  resembles  the  black  spruce,  save  that  it  is 
of  a  silvery-green  color,  giving  forth  its  peculiar  fra- 
grance, and  producing  small  blisters  on  its  trunk  and 
branches,  which  the  spruce  does  not. 

Cedar  is  not  plentiful  in  the  Hoosac  Valley  region, 
our  only  species  being  American  Arbor  Vitse  ( Thuja 
occidentalis),  often  called  white  cedar.  Northward  this 
tree  forms  extensive  cedar  swamps,  which  are  rich 
haunts  for  species  of  Orchidacea;. 

On  the  border  of  the  third  swamp,  and  in  the  heart 
of  it  as  well,  grow  High  Huckleberry  bushes  (  Vacci- 
nmm  corymbosum).  Blueberries  are  known  in  New 
England  as  huckleberries,  and  this  common  swamp 
species  grows  very  tall.  These  bushes  before  me  were 
over  twelve  feet  in  height.  The  Dwarf  Low  Blueberry 
(^Vaccinium  vadllans)  grows  from  one  to  two  feet  high. 
The  Early  Dwarf  species  (  Vaccinhim  Pennsylvaniaim) 


Over  the  HucKleberry  Plains 


119 


is  from  six  to  fifteen  inches  in  height,  and  produces  our 
earliest  market  blueberries  or  huckleberries.  The  late 
Dwarf  Low  Blueberry  ripens  late  in  July, 

The  giant  bushes  in  the  swamp  were  laden  with  both 
green  and  ripe  fruit.  The  cadet-blue  berries  hanging 
side  by  side  with  the  soft  velvety  crimson-purple  fruit 
of  Shad-trees  {Amclanchier  Canadensis)  made  a  pretty 
dash  of  color  among  the  rich  greens.  Most  country 
lads  are  familiar  with  the  mountains  at  this  season,  and 
to  go  "  shad-berrying  "  is  one  of  their  pleasures.  In 
Pownal  one  hears  of  shadberry  pies  and  cakes  with 
happy  anticipations. 

These  berries  are  fresh  and  sweet,  eaten  direct  from 
the  bending  branches,  but  they  become  as  bitter  as 
medicine  after  being  gathered  for  any  length  of  time. 
Their  white  flowers  often  appear  early  in  April  and 
May,  and  brighten  the  waste  places  along  with  the 
Pigeon  Cherry  blossoms,— better  known  as  Wild  Red 
Cherries  {Prumis  Pen7isylvanicd).  The  flowers  of  the 
latter  tree  are  also  white,  producing  small  light  red 
cherries,  which  delighted  flocks  of  returning  pigeons 
before  their  extermination.  The  generic  name  Prunus 
is  the  Latin  for  plum  or  prune,  derived  from  the  Greek 
for  all  species  commonly  known  as  Sloes,  Bullies,  and 
Snags.  The  species  of  Prunus  and  Amelanchier  are 
members  of  the  Rose  Family,  as  their  miniature  rose- 
blossoms  indicate. 

The  original  designations  of  huckleberry,  or  whortle- 
berry, are  also  of  ancient  derivation.  The  species  of 
Vaccinium  were  known  to  Virgil  under  the  title  of 


1 20        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

Vadma,'  because  their  berries  were  little.  The  ancient 
writers  recognized  the  black,  white,  and  red  fruited 
species.  The  white  was  seldom  seen,  however,  while 
the  red  also  was  rare.  The  true  English  name  for 
these  berries  in  the  sixteenth  century  was  ' '  whorts ' ' 
or  "  whortleberries."  The  black  whorts  grew  com- 
monly in  many  woods  in  England,  in  June  and  July. 

After  wandering  through  these  swamps  on  the 
Domelet  for  two  or  three  hours,  and  securing  some 
fine  roots  of  the  Pink  Moccasin-Flower  for  the  New 
Haven  garden,  we  slowly  walked  back  toward  our 
horses  in  the  shaded  vale,  up  and  over  ledges  and  roll- 
ing hills,  passing  a  ridge  of  outcropping  marble.  We 
finally  sat  a  while  and  drank  in  the  cool  mountain 
breeze,  catching  here  and  there  through  the  trees 
the  varied  panorama  of  the  great  world  below  and  the 
clouds  above  us.  Distant  sounds  from  human  abodes 
rose  to  our  ears  faintly, — such  as  the  engine  whistle  of 
the  "  Wild-cat  "  Express  as  it  wound  through  the  deep- 
cut  valley  of  the  Hoosac,  nearly  a  thousand  feet  below 
us,  westward  beyond  Mount  CEta.  On  one  of  these 
marble  ridges,  along  the  plains,  I  found  several  plants 
of  the  Large  Round-Iycaved  Orchis  (^Habenaria  orbi- 
culatd). 

We  drove  homeward  by  way  of  White  Oaks  Road, 
— southward  along  the  entire  summit  of  the  Domelet, 
— getting  an  excellent  view  of  the  Hoosac  and  Green 
Rivers,  following  their  serpentine  windings  about  the 

'  Vacinium  comes  from  Baccinium,  and  was  derived  from 
Baccce — Dodoens,  Hist.  PL,  1578. 


Over  the  HucKleberry  Plains    121 

hills  and  vales  far  below  us  near  Williamstown.  White 
Oaks  is  a  remote  corner  of  Pownal,  lying,  however, 
partly  in  Williamstown  in  northern  Berkshire,  a 
region  locally  noted  for  the  earliest  arbutus  blossoms. 

In  nearly  all  the  swamps  I  have  visited,  I  have 
found  a  long  procession  of  flowers  marching  close  upon 
each  other  through  the  seasons, — from  the  trailing  ar- 
butus and  the  snowy  dogwood  blossoms  in  early  April, 
to  the  golden-rod  and  asters  of  the  late  October  days. 
Even  as  late  as  December  8th  I  have  found  the  dainty 
dandelions  and  violets  running  wild  with  glee,  only  to 
be  frozen  before  sunrise  the  following  morning.  It  can 
be  said  that  in  some  seasons  different  flowers  bloom 
nearly  every  month,  in  the  Hoosac  Highlands,  if  the 
TranscripV s  reports  be  true. 

"  On  February  i,  1900,  some  trailing  arbutus  was 
brought  from  the  woods.  There  is  usually  a  little 
strife  in  the  spring  for  the  distinction  of  bringing  these 
first  flowers,  but  Mr.  Briggs  has  forestalled  all  the 
flower  hunters  this  year  by  his  January  discovery, 
which  is  most  unusual."  ' 

I  have  collected  March  arbutus  in  the  White  Oaks 
as  early  as  the  12th,  although  never  in  January  or 
February.  Indeed,  there  come  many  arbutus  days 
long  before  April  and  May,  if  only  we  go  abroad  to 
realize  them  in  the  warm,  sunny  glens  among  the  Ta- 
conic  Hills,  where  the  cold  winds  never  blow  in  March. 

'  Clipping  from  The  Transcript,  North  Adams,  Mass.,  Feb., 
1900. 


SECOND    SEASON 


123 


Westville  S^wamps  and  Mount 
Carmel,  Connecticut 

When,  formerly,  I  have  analyzed  my  partiality  for  some 
farm  which  I  had  contemplated  purchasing,  I  have  frequently 
found  that  I  was  attracted  solely  by  a  few  square  rods  of  imper- 
meable and  unfathomable  bog.  .  .  .  That  was  the  jewel 
which  dazzled  me. — ThorEau,  Excursions. 


M 


AY  the  I  St  I  departed  from  New  York,  to  find 
in  bloom  many  of  the  earlier  flowers  that  I 
had  missed  last  year  in  the  Hoosac  High- 
lands. I  followed  much  the  same  route 
through  Connecticut  as  I  had  taken  the  season  pre- 
vious. The  country  was  aglow  with  the  subtle  breath 
of  spring  sunshine,  that  inspires  the  soul  of  earth  to 
rise  and  sprinkle  her  fields  with  pulsating  life  and 
song.  I  started  out  alone  to  explore  the  Bogs  of  West- 
ville, where  the  dainty  Grass  -  Pinks  and  Pogonias 
would  later  bloom. 

There  is  much  diversity  of  soil  about  New  Haven  : 
it  proves  a  meeting-ground  for  Southern  and  Northern 
species  of  plant  life.  The  swampy  regions  of  the 
Great  Salt  Meadows  produce  a  foreign  vegetation  that 
emigrates  to  our  shores ;  while  the  rocky  ridges  of  the 
hills  about  the  City  furnish  hiding  ground  for  rare  ferns 
and  flowers  foinid  far  northward. 
125 


1 26        Bog'-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

I  rode  to  the  end  of  the  car  Hue,  near  which  I  turned 
ofif  into  a  thicket,  and  over  a  bridge  above  the  milldam. 
On  either  hand  broad  fields  of  marsh-land  stretched  out 
to  meet  the  low,  rolling  hills.  To  the  right,  a  path  led 
up  the  slopes  of  a  cow-pasture,  along  a  little  stream  to 
West  Rock.  The  damp  hillside  was  carpeted  with 
Innocence  or  Bluets  {Houstoniacoerulea),  and  numerous 
colonies  of  violets  ;  and  amid  the  moss-grown  hillocks, 
in  the  woods,  the  Dog's-Tooth  Lily  {Erythronium 
Americanutn)  nodded  its  yellow  bell.  This  lily,  so 
long  designated  Dog's-Tooth  Violet,  is  a  plant  having 
a  broad  continental  range, — found  from  Nova  Scotia  to 
Florida,  and  from  Maine  to  Arkansas.  In  the  South 
it  blooms  in  March,  in  the  North  in  May.  It  grows 
not  only  in  the  low  coast  hills  and  valleys,  but  is  known 
to  thrive  at  an  altitude  of  5500  feet  in  Virginia  and  in 
the  North. 

The  leaves  of  Dog's-Tooth  Lily  resemble  a  species 
of  Orchis  known  to  Dioscorides  as  Satyrion  Erythro- 
jiium,  from  which  Linnaeus  in  1753  coined  the  present 
generic  name  Erythroniuvi,  signifying  "red,"  for  the 
genus  of  Dog's-Tooth  Lilies.  Wherever  the  appended 
term  of  "Violet"  originated  for  these  lilies  is  not 
known.  According  to  Frederick  H.  Blodgett  :  "In 
one  of  the  old  botanies  in  the  library  of  the  Agricul- 
tural Department  (Washington),  there  is  a  colored 
plate,  illustrating  the  European  species  with  the  name 
Viola  dens-canis,  with  pen  notes,  giving  the  later  and 
more  modern  names  also."  '     That  the  plant  was  al- 

'  F.  H.  Blodgett,  The  Plant  World,  p.  52,  March,  1902. 


'  White,  innocent  twigs  of  apple,  idly  swaying. 
Shed  a  suave  fragrance  on  the  flattered  breeze." 

John-  S.  Van  Cle\ 


Westville  Swamps  127 

ways  considered  a  lily,  however,  instead  of  a  violet  is 
evident. 

Dr.  Rembert  Dodoens,  as  early  as  1578,  thus  de- 
scribed it :  "  This  low  base  herbe,  hath,  for  the  most 
part  but  two  leaves,  speckled  with  great  red  spots,  be- 
twixt which  springeth  up  a  Uttle  tender  stalke  or  stem 
with  one  floure  at  the  top  hanging  downeward,  which 
hath  certaine  small  leaves  growing  together  like  an 
arch  or  haute,  and  like  the  wild  lily."  (The  Amarillis 
of  the  Spaniards.)  "  The  names  of  this  herbe  now  are 
called  Dentiachis  canis  and  Dens  caninus,  and  others 
call  it  Satyrion  Erythro7iiu7?i,  wherewithall  notwith- 
standing it  has  no  similitude."  '  It  was  known  to 
Dioscorides  as  Lilium  sylvestre,  and  Dodoens  remarks 
that  "  It  may  well  be  called  such,"  since  the  flower, 
when  "  it  hangs  downeward  toward  the  grounde,  is 
much  like  the  wild  lilies,  saving  it  is  smaller."  ' 

Dioscorides  (23-77  a.d.)  knew  this  plant  as  Ephe- 
meroyi  non  lethale,  which  was  also  known  in  I^atin  as 
Lilhim  sylvestt'e. 

Dodoens  therefore  wrote  that  if  Dog's-Tooth  be 
Ephemeron,  as  it  seemed  to  be,  the  essence  extracted 
from  its  root  by  boihng  water,  according  to  Dioscorides, 
was  good  for  the  teeth.  But  the  name  was  more  likely 
suggested  by  the  fact  that  the  bulbous  root  is  shaped  like 
a  canine  tooth.  The  appended  "violet"  originated, 
perhaps,  with  children,  since  this  lily  blooms  in  early 
springtime  with  violets,  bluets,  marsh  marigolds,  and 
arbutus. 

'  Dodoens,  History  of  Plants,  1578.  ^  Ihi<f. 


1 28        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

The  names  of  all  plants  among  the  early  Greeks 
and  Romans  originated  from  the  shapes  of  the  flowers, 
leaves,  or  roots,  and  also  from  their  medicinal  proper- 
ties. Dioscorides  knew  another  species  which  he  des- 
ignated Satyrion  Erythronmm  or  Dioscorides  Satyrion, 
signifying  Red  Satyrion, — known  to  the  ancient  Syri- 
ans. Satyrion  was  the  ancient  ' '  shop ' '  name  for 
species  of  Orchis. 

Without  doubt  our  generic  name  for  Dog's-Tooth 
{Erythronium)  is  a  corruption  from  the  Red-spotted 
Satyrion,  whose  leaves  became  confused  with  Lilium 
sylvestre.  Burroughs  has  remarked  that  bulbs  of  lilies 
in  general  lie  near  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The 
bulbs  of  Erythronium  are  often  found  at  a  depth  of 
eight  inches  or  more  in  the  earth,  however,  according 
to  the  age  of  the  lily.  The  young  plant  often  pro- 
duces but  one  leaf,  and  its  bulb  is  loosely  attached  to 
the  moss  on  the  surface,  while  the  older  plants  pro- 
duce two  leaves,  their  bulbs  each  season  sinking  deeper 
into  the  soil. 

Many  common  names  have  been  suggested  by  bota- 
nists to  replace  the  seemingly  inappropriate  name  of 
Dog's-Tooth  Violet.  While  the  appended  Violet  is  mis- 
applied, as  we  observe,  the  name  Dog's-Tooth  is  of  an- 
cient origin,  and  really  has  more  appropriateness  than 
does  the  generic  name  Erythronium,  since  none  of  our 
species  produce  red  flowers.  The  name  Dog's-Tooth, 
therefore,  was  purposely  dropped  in  the  Illustrated 
Flora  of  Northeastern  North  America,  and  the  name 
Yellow  Adder' s-Tongue   substituted  for  the   species. 


Westville  S-wamps  129 

There  is  also  an  Adder' s-Tongue  Fern  {Ophioglossum 
vulgatuni).  We  therefore  see  that  the  re-estabhshing 
of  the  former  and  ancient  name,  Dog's-Tooth  I^ily,  for 
species  of  Erythroniuni  is  to  be  preferred,  not  only  ac- 
cording to  the  moral  rule  of  priority,  but  because  it  is 
actually  the  legal  common  name. 

The  Westville  Swamps  were  sparkling  with  these 
yellow  lily-bells,  while  in  the  woods  along  the  sluggish 
stream,  the  Marsh  Marigolds  —  often  called  American 
Cowslips  —  were  holding  up  their  golden  goblets  to  be 
filled  with  morning  dew.  Farther  up  the  stream,  near 
a  rude  plank  bridge  in  the  pasture  roadwa)^  I  found  a 
baby  turtle  basking  in  the  sunshine.  He  was  no 
larger  than  the  hollow  of  my  palm.  The  little  fellow 
was  too  frightened  to  tumble  off  his  stony  couch  and 
run  for  the  stream.  He  sat  still  and  eyed  me  distrust- 
fully. He  drew  in  his  head  and  toes,  and  I  lifted  him 
gently  in  my  hand,  placing  him  in  a  paper  bag  among 
the  flowers  I  had  gathered.  I  intended  him  for  a 
surprise  in  the  school  aquarium. 

Climbing  far  up  the  side  of  West  Rock,  I  looked 
over  the  Woodbridge  fields  and  toward  West  Peak, 
near  Meriden.  In  the  dim  distance  the  Giant's  form 
was  outlined  against  the  horizon  at  Mount  Carmel. 
This  mountain  assumes  the  form  of  a  gigantic  Egyp- 
tian mummy.  The  hands  are  folded  across  the  breast, 
and  the  head  and  feet  are  stretched  in  stiff  dignity — so 
to  remain  through  the  ages. 

Among  the  wooded  hills  and  vales  below,  the  cloud- 
shadows  chased  each  other  to  the  distant  mountains 


130        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

far  beyond.  That  pile  of  granite  upon  the  brow  of 
West  Rock,  designated  in  history  as  Judge's  Cave, 
stood  guard  over  the  hills  about  me.  Farther  off, 
toward  Westville,  many  a  roof  glistened  and  peered 
out  among  the  newly  leaved  trees  of  the  hillsides.  One 
of  them  was  that  of  Ik  Marvel's  home,  where  per- 
chance he  had  smoked  the  dream  pipes  of  his  Bachelor' s 
Revery.  Smoke  now  curled  above  the  chimney-tops, 
full  of  the  drowsiness  of  May  mornings. 

The  song  of  thrushes  and  orioles  amid  the  bushes 
burst  joyously  upon  me,  and  during  the  interludes  I 
heard  the  hum  of  bees  and  the  distant  murmurings  of 
streams.  Butterflies  sailed  by,  flashing  their  brilliant 
colors  in  the  sunlight,  and  the  air  was  laden  with  the 
delicate  fragrance  of  early  woodlands.  It  was  a  day 
marked  by  hope  and  promise.  Who  can  forget  those 
fields  of  spring  where  forget-me-nots  and  violets  bloom? 

During  the  afternoon  of  this  glorious  day,  I  jour- 
neyed to  Mount  Carmel  beyond  Lake  Whitney.  The 
old  canal  from  Northampton  to  New  Haven  formerly 
passed  along  this  valley,  and  although  the  channel  is 
partly  filled  in,  the  towpath  still  remains,  and  is  well- 
trodden.  I  followed  it  from  the  end  of  the  car-line, 
until  I  reached  an  elevated  ledge  of  rock  to  the  right. 
This  little  hill,  clothed  with  white  cedars  and  junipers, 
lies  beneath  the  stern  brow  of  the  Giant,  whose  face  is 
plainly  outlined  against  the  sky  far  above  the  village. 

After  exploring  the  ridge  hereabout,  and  finding 
it  covered  with  Columbine  in  bud,  I  descended  to  the 
hollow,  along  the  stream.     In  the  rocky  crevices  at  the 


Mount  Carmel,  Connecticut     131 

farthest  end  of  the  hill,  where  the  midday  sun  poured 
down  upon  the  colony,  I  found  the  Columbine  flowers 
in  full  bloom.  I  pushed  my  hand  beneath  the  matted 
soil,  and  the  plant  with  roots  entire  loosened  and  was 
easily  lifted.  Poison  Ivy  grew  about  over  the  rocks, 
warning  me  to  be  cautious.  I  discovered  the  Dutch- 
man's Breeches  {Bicuculla  Cucullaria),  but  they  were 
faded  and  nearly  fallen.  I  observed  here  near  the  Col- 
umbine also  another  species  of  the  genus  not  often  seen 
in  this  locality.  It  is  known  commonly  as  the  Bleed- 
ing-Heart  {Biaiculla  eximia),  formerly  designated 
generically  as  Fiunaria.  It  grows  in  rocky  places, 
especially  in  southern  New  York.  I  collected  it  once 
about  Montclair,  New  Jersey,  along  the  Orange 
Mountains,  and  on  the  borders  of  Bronx  Park,  New 
York  City,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Mount  Vernon.  This 
species  belongs  more  especially  sputhward,  extending 
to  Georgia  and  Tennessee,  flowering  from  May  until 
September.  There  are  about  fourteen  species  of  this 
genus  found  in  North  America  and  Western  Asia. 
Three  of  this  number  are  reported  for  the  Atlantic  Re- 
gion of  North  America.  The  third  species  is  known 
as  Squirrel-Corn  {Bicuailla  Cayiadensis),  and  is  very 
similar  to  the  Dutchman's  Breeches,  save  that  the 
plant  is  smaller. 

While  waiting  for  the  car  at  Lake  Whitney  Junction, 
on  my  return  to  New  Haven,  I  opened  the  iron  gate 
and  wandered  along  the  wooded  edges  of  the  shore.  I 
soon  distinguished  that  homely  weed  of  our  old  door- 
yard  walls  and  tin-can  waste-heaps — the  Cat-Mint  or 


132        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

Catnip.  I  gathered  some  tender  shoots  for  pussy  Yale. 
The  name  Catnip  is  of  ancient  origin,  derived  from  the 
Latin,  Nepete,  the  name  of  an  Etrurian  city.  Our 
native  plant  is  of  European  origin.  Dodoens,  in  1578, 
writes  of  this  plant  :  "In  shops  it  is  called  Nepita  ;  in 
England  Pep,  and  Cat-Mmt,  in  French  Herbe  de  Chat'^ 
The  name  of  our  single  species  is  to-day  Nepeta  Ca- 
taria.  There  are  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  native 
species  of  this  group  of  plants  found  in  Europe  and 
Asia. 

This  family  of  Mints  vi^as  known  to  the  ancients  as 
Calainmt  or  Calamintha,  and  included  in  Dodoens'  day 
four  or  five  species  described  by  the  Greeks,  each  of 
them  having  several  names  marked  by  different  me- 
dicinal virtues.  The  first  kind  was  called  Mountain 
Calamint ;  the  second  was  known  as  Wild  Penny- 
royal, and  the  third  variety  as  Cat's-Mint  or  Cat's- 
Herbe,  — just  described  as  Nepeta.  The  Wild 
Pennyroyal  of  the  ancients  resembled  the  cultivated 
species  at  that  time  also,  which  was  known  in  Eng- 
land, during  1500,  as  Podding- Grasse  or  Pudding- 
Grass.  Pliny  attributed  twenty-five  medicinal  and 
mystical  properties  to  Pennyroyal,  in  Christ's  day, 
while  Dodoens  and  Lyte  mention  fourteen  uses  of 
the  herb  in  1578.  Xenocrates  prescribed  "  a  branch 
of  Penny-Royall  wrapped  in  wool,"  and  placed  be- 
neath the  bedclothes  as  a  remedy  against  malignant 
fevers. 

The  Mints  in  general  were  called  in  ancient  apothe- 
cary shops  Mentha.    This  group  of  plants  was  known 


Mount  Carmel,  Connecticut     133 

to  Theophrastus,  and  named  Me7itha,  from  a  nymph 
fabled  in  classical  literature  as  having  been  changed 
into  this  plant  by  the  jealous  Proserpine. 

Yale  was  delighted  with  the  Herbe  de  Chat,  and 
scented  spring  and  the  cat's  heal-all  indeed  in  these 
tender  sprays,  rolling  and  purring  over  the  leaves  like 
a  tiger,  imtil  at  last,  soothed,  he  fell  a-napping. 

The  next  morning,  May  2d,  I  started  for  the  Berk- 
shire Highlands,  where  I  arrived  in  the  afternoon.  I 
remained  on  Aurora's  Hill  in  North  Adams  about  a 
week.  I  was  too  early  for  orchid  flowers,  and  the  ar- 
butus was  still  in  bloom.  These  were  the  real  arbutus 
days  here,  in  spite  of  their  breaking  the  record  now 
and  then  by  blooming  in  February.  I  soon  left  the 
slopes  of  North  Adams  for  Pownal  Hills,  I  found 
them  bleak  and  cold,  and  that  here,  too,  I  was  ahead 
of  all  species  of  the  Orchid  Family. 

I  made  several  excursions  to  the  heart  of  Rattlesnake 
Swamp  and  Rattlesnake  Ledge,  between  May  7th  and 
15th,  searching  for  Trailing  Arbutus.  I  courted  the 
Swamp  of  Oracles  and  the  Glen  of  Comus,  watching 
the  buds  unfold.  The  woods  were  bare  and  leafless, 
the  paths  and  dry-brook  beds  were  flooded  with  sun- 
shine. There  is  a  desolate  expression  to  these  deep 
swamps  in  early  spring,  before  the  tender  green  leaves 
of  trees  and  budding  flowers  burst  forth.  The  birds, 
however,  are  here,  and  their  song  tells  us  that  it  is 
spring  instead  of  the  Indian  summer  of  late  autumn. 
These  awakening  days  of  the  sleeping  woodlands  re- 
minded one  of  the  death  of  the  flowers  in  November. 


134        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Equally  sad  is  the  birth  and  death  of  the  flowers.  The 
sod  steams  with  the  warm  southern  sunlight  pouring 
upon  it  until,  behold,  a  week  later  the  green,  luxuriant 
foliage  hides  all  the  rocky  paths  in  dense  shades,  and 
sprinkles  dainty  stars  and  clinging  vines  over  all  the 
ruins  of  the  autumn's  faded  stalks  and  leaves.  May 
holds  greater  charm  and  more  silent  mysteries  than 
the  overflowing  joy  of  full-grown  June. 

I  wandered  on  through  the  winding  paths,  finding 
them  draped  with  mosses  and  Goldthread  blossoms 
and  Painted  Trillium.  I  continued  daily  to  search  the 
woods  through  and  through  for  the  first  sight  of  the 
Pink  Moccasin-Flower.  I  found  three  species  of  Cyp- 
ripedium  on  May  15th,  and  was  a  little  curious  to 
observe  how  the  race  would  end  in  their  unfolding. 
There  were  the  rare  Ram's-Head,  the  Pink  and  the 
Large  Yellow  Moccasin- Flowers  in  bud.  The  Pink 
Cypripedium  was  the  first  to  open,  upon  the  19th, 
while  on  the  same  day  also  the  Large  Yellow  Moccasin- 
Flower  burst  into  bloom,  dropping  its  long,  twisting 
side  petals  gracefully  beside  the  stump  of  a  hemlock 
tree  fallen  across  Ball  Brook,  The  Ram's-Head,  which 
is  supposed  to  be  the  earliest  Cypripedium  to  bloom, 
was  not  so  fortunate.  Venturing  where  it  stood  among 
the  Amidon  Pines  one  sunny  morning,  I  found  the  bud 
still  sheathed  in  the  tender  green  bract-like  leaf,  laid 
low  and  withering  upon  the  ground  beside  the  ruined 
stem.  I  picked  it  up  and  wondered  what  or  who  could 
have  brought  about  this  tragedy.  The  bract,  contain- 
ing the  bud,   appeared  cut  from  the  stem  as  with  a 


The  Wuudinan's  Road  through  Rattlesnake  Swamp,  Mount  (Eta,  Pownal,  Vermont. 

•■  These  Jiw-aisli-d  iorcsis  His  cathcdnils.  ivlu-r.- 
The  pale  nun  Silence  tiptoes,  velvet-shod. 
And  I'rayer  kneels  U'ith  tireless,  farted  lids." 

Ella   Higginson. 


Mount  Carmel,  Connecticut     135 

keen-edged  knife.  As  I  held  it,  I  observed  a  large 
worm  concealed  within  the  plicate  folds  of  the  bracted  ' 
leaf,  amid  the  musky  sweetness  of  the  bud.  It  was 
round  and  emerald  green,  and  unlike  most  worms  was 
possessed  of  a  great  degree  of  spryness;  for  before  my 
senses  were  astir,  it  had  dropped  to  the  ground,  wrig- 
gling out  of  sight  among  the  leaves  and  earth  at  my 
feet.  I  poked  about,  hoping  to  follow  its  trail,  but  to 
no  avail. 

That  this  rare  Cypripedium  has  a  vile  destroyer  in 
this  worm,  is  evident.  I  felt  that  I  should  like  to 
know  more  about  the  worm's  life,  and  why  it  seeks 
the  rarest  species  of  Cypripedium  in  North  America  to 
feast  upon.  Perhaps  this  may  account  for  this  flower's 
rarity  in  Powual,  as  well  as  throughout  its  continental 
range.  I  have  observed  the  worm  among  the  Ram's- 
Heads  in  Amidon's  Pines  during  the  past  two  seasons. 

The  budded  plants  of  this  species  in  Witch  Hollow 
were  also  blasted  in  embryo  this  season.  The  two  buds 
observed  turned  brown  and  withered  on  the  stem, 
while  yet  very  tiny,  leaving  the  bract  perfectly  intact. 
Some  plants,  however,  were  untouched  by  the  destroy- 
ing worm.  They  were  without  doubt  too  3^oung  to 
bloom,  as  it  requires  four  or  five  seasons  before  seedling 
Cypripediums  produce  perfect  blossoms  in  their  native 
haunts. 

The  seeds  of  orchids  are  minute,  mostly  "spindle 
shaped,"  are  found  in  great  numbers,  and  resemble 
fine  sawdust.  The  ovules  of  the  Orchid  Family  ma- 
ture slowly,  and  as  far  as  scientific  observations  count, 


136        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

in  the  tests  made  with  the  cultivated  species,  it  is  said 
the  seeds  are  a  year  in  coming  to  maturity.  These 
fertile  seeds  need  several  months  in  which  to  germi- 
nate, requiring,  as  will  be  seen,  some  years  to  produce 
seedlings  old  enough  to  blossom  from  the  self-sowing 
capsules  of  our  wild  native  orchids.  Furthermore,  a 
certain  temperature  and  continuous  moisture  are  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  produce  seedlings.  Our  variable 
Northern  climate  is  one  of  the  natural  causes  of  hind- 
rance to  the  production  of  native  seedlings  of  this  sen- 
sitive family.  Continuous  moisture  does  not  prevail 
long  enough  to  promote  perfect  germination  of  the 
thousands  of  seeds  annually  produced.  They  die  in 
embryo  from  lack  of  moisture  during  dry  seasons;  or 
if  developed,  are  frozen  out  in  the  ice-capped  swamps 
by  our  long,  harsh  winters;  or  in  the  tender  seasons  of 
their  seedling-hood  the  following  years,  are  dwarfed 
and  die  from  drought.  This,  in  part,  is  the  explana- 
tion of  the  lack  of  natural  seedlings  in  our  native 
orchid  haunts.  Adding  to  this  the  destructiveness  of 
man,  the  beasts  of  the  fields,  worms,  and  storms,  and 
the  tardiness  of  insects  in  fertilization,  a  hard  struggle 
lies  in  the  perpetuation  of  the  family's  future  genera- 
tions. 

Orchids  are  spoken  of  as  the  "weeds  of  the  tropics  " ; 
notwithstanding  their  devastation  by  the  present  or- 
chid craze, — which  far  outstrips  the  tulip  mania  in 
Holland  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago, — in  regions 
where  continuous  heat  and  moisture  prevail,  germina- 
tion of  their  fertile  seeds  is  rapid  and  natural. 


XI 

May  SHo-wers  and  WKite  Moccasin- 
riow^ers 

If  a  man  walk  in  the  woods  for  love  of  them  half  of  each 
day,  he  is  in  danger  of  being  regarded  a  loafer  ;  but  if  he  spend 
his  whole  day  as  a  speculator,  shearing  off  those  woods  and 
making  earth  bare  before  her  time,  he  is  esteemed  an  industri- 
ous and  enterprising  citizen. — Thoreau,  Letters. 

THERE  is  something  charming  about  an  un- 
wearied rain  in  spring.  I  chose  a  day  upon 
which  rain  was  falling  to  journey  through 
the  swamps,  observing  my  orchid  buds.  The 
clouds  would  lift  now  and  then  with  sudden  brighten- 
ing, although  the  gentle  patter  of  the  rain  was  con- 
stant. The  wind  scarcely  stirred  the  leaves.  Nature 
was  quiet  in  her  weeping,  as  a  heart  that  has  a  griev- 
ance which  it  does  not  care  to  share  with  any  one.  The 
meadows  grew  green,  the  buds  expanded,  and  the 
heart  of  May  began  to  pulsate  and  sing  new  songs. 

I  started  out  to  visit  the  Glen  of  Coraus,  but  found 
the  underbrush  too  laden  with  rain.  I  then  decided  to 
go  through  the  fields  and  seek  the  Chalk  Pond  colo- 
nies. Over  the  hills  lowered  a  heavy  fog,  which,  as 
the  rain  slackened,  would  for  a  time  lift  again,  show- 
ing the  blue  peaks  in  the  distance.  I  turned  westward 
137 


138        Bo^-Trotting' for  Orchids 

from  the  glen,  through  Amidon's  Pities.  I  had  soon 
passed  beyond  the  limits  of  this  sheltering  wood,  mak- 
ing a  gradual  ascent  through  the  raspberry  pastures 
of  John-Fallow. 

The  higher  I  climbed  the  harder  it  poured.  How- 
ever, I  arrived  among  the  low  white  birch  saplings  and 
berry  bushes.  Here  I  managed  to  shake  the  rain 
off  them,  becoming  as  bedraggled  as  though  I  had 
waded  in  a  stream.  My  umbrella  began  to  leak, 
and  my  cap  and  hair  were  being  soaked,  the  water 
actually  running  down  my  face.  Entering  the  deeper 
underwood  of  birches,  I  aroused  a  flock  of  sheep  and 
their  lambs.  They  ran  bleating  after  me,  asking  for 
salt.  A  mother  followed  me  closely,  stamped  the  earth 
with  her  tiny  feet,  showing  her  petulance  and  fear  ; 
although  she  did  not  turn  and  run  from  me  as  I  ven- 
tured nearer,  but  rubbed  her  nose  against  my  hand. 

I  now  began  descending  the  western  slopes  of  John- 
Fallow,  and  was  in  sight  of  the  woods  closing  about 
Witch  Hollow.  Upon  entering  the  thicket,  I  soon 
found  my  colonies  of  Orchis  spedabilis,  which  were  not 
yet  unfolded,  although  it  was  May  20th.  The  Cypri- 
pediums  had  come  in  far  ahead  of  them  this  season. 

The  group  of  Ram's-Head  also  disappointed  me,  the 
buds  having  been  blasted  in  embryo.  The  plants, 
however,  looked  healthy  and  promising. 

Chilled  through  as  I  was  on  my  way  out  of  the 
woods,  I  thought  of  stopping  at  the  nearest  house  on 
Butternut  lyane  for  a  drink  of  hot  milk.  I  refrained, 
however,  because  of  my  fog-covered  garments  and  the 


May  SHow^ers  139 

curiosity  I  might  arouse  in  the  neighborhood.  On- 
ward I  trudged  another  mile  or  two,  up  through  the 
pastures,  across  the  old  Welch  Farm,  following  the 
grass-grown  road  that  originally  led  from  Mount  CEta 
to  the  valley  of  the  Hoosac,  during  Revolutionary  days. 

I  had  been  out  about  four  hours,  and  it  was  time  I 
sought  shelter,  since  I  had  waded  through  the  tall 
grasses  and  bushes,  regardless  of  the  rain  upon  their 
leaves.  Once  in  the  house,  I  realized  the  comfort  of 
possessing  warm,  dry  garments. 

On  May  23d  I  made  a  journey  to  Rattlesnake 
Swamp.  Arbutus  was  still  in  blossom  near  the  hem- 
locks,— late  clusters,  indeed,  hiding  in  the  moss  at  the 
feet  of  small  spruces,  where  the  ice  and  snow  had 
lingered  latest. 

The  children  in  District  Fourteen  delight  in  sur- 
prising me  with  strange  flowers.  Among  these  I 
frequently  find  rare  species  of  plants  to  name  and 
identify  for  them.  A  delicate  spray  of  the  Purple- 
Flowered  Clematis  was  brought  to  me  recently.  This 
vine  is  rare  hereabout,  growing  only  in  rocky  woods 
about  the  Rabbit  Plain,  and  along  the  Gulf  Road  of 
Witch  Hollow. 

Children  in  the  country  districts  are  the  first  nature 
students  in  spring.  In  May  and  June  the  woods  and 
fields  become  veritable  classrooms  in  which  Nature 
alone  presides  as  instructor.  A  dense  oak  and  pine 
forest  formerly  sheltered  the  vale  near  the  schoolhouse, 
where  the  children  seldom  dared  to  wander  without 
their  teacher.     The  wood   was  dark   and   full  of  the 


140        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

twilight  shades  of  the  virgin  forest  trees  of  our  New 
England  hills. 

In  May,  many  seasons  ago,  the  Purple-Flowered 
Clematis  {Atragene  Americana)  grew  abundant  in  the 
heart  of  this  rocky  wood,  covering,  in  one  instance, 
a  bush  six  feet  high  with  its  graceful  vine.  This 
plant  is  rare  from  Maine  to  Minnesota.  It  ranges 
northward  to  Hudson  Bay,  and  southward  to  Virginia, 
often  ascending  great  heights.  It  is  reported  in  the 
Catskills  at  an  altitude  of  three  thousand  feet.  There 
are  but  three  species  of  this  genus  found  natively  in 
the  North  Temperate  Zone,  one  being  reported  for  the 
Rocky  Mountain  region,  the  other  farther  to  the 
northwest  coast  of  America.  The  common  Virgin' s- 
Bower  {Clematis  Virgiyiiand)  grows  also  in  rocky 
places,  covering  roadside  walls  and  bordering  swamps 
and  river  banks  in  July  and  August. 

Later  in  the  autumn,  this  species  is  very  attractive. 
The  seed-pods  burst  and  produce  a  light,  feathery 
down — little  wings  to  aid  the  seeds  in  their  flight,  like 
those  of  the  dandelion  and  milkweed.  The  seed-cap- 
sules of  the  Purple- Flowered  Clematis  also  produce  tails 
like  the  plumes  of  a  feather. 

Several  species  of  Clematis  were  known  to  the  an- 
cients in  Christ's  day.  The  name  originated  with 
Dioscorides,  and  was  used  to  designate  all  climbing 
vines.  He  knew  three  kinds  under  the  generic  name 
of  Aristolochia,  named  in  honor  of  Aristotle.  The 
"branched  vine"  with  "  deepe  violet  floures,"  was 
called  Aristolochia  clematites.     Peter  Bellon  of  ye  olden 


Moccasin-Flo-wers  141 

time  remarks  that  this  plant  grew  in  the  mountains 
of  Ida  in  Crete,  or  Candie.  Carolus  Clusius  reported 
it  as  growing  among  the  bushes  and  briars  about  the 
city  of  HispaHs,  or  Civill,  in  Spain,  before  the  sixteenth 
century. 

I  visited  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  on  May  29th, — a  very 
good  place  to  observe  the  early  flowers  of  the  woods 
about  the  valley.  The  country  folk  come  here  with 
their  laurels  for  Decoration  Day,  as  Milton  came  to  his 
"  Lycidas,"  "  to  empurple  all  the  ground  with  vernal 
flowers."  '  Here  may  be  seen  the  pink  azalea,  the 
marsh  marigolds —  those  golden-cups  of  Caltha,  — 
violets,  and  painted  trilliums  amid  the  bunches  of  pink 
and  golden  moccasin-flowers,  brought  here  in  abund- 
ance by  the  school  children. 

On  June  5th  I  sought  the  swamps  of  Etchowog.  I 
followed  down  through  the  Glen  of  Comus,  in  search 
of  the  great  colony  of  Pink  Moccasin-Flowers.  I 
found  them  in  full  bud, — two  hundred  in  number,  as 
formerly.  As  I  entered  the  hollow,  I  found  in  the 
middle  of  the  path  a  Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis 
{Habenana  Hookeriand). 

This  region  is  being  slowly  despoiled  of  its  stately 
pines.  I  saw  fresh  scars  of  the  axe  among  them. 
Three  first-growth  trees  were  laid  low,  piled  on  the 
side  of  the  road. 

I  followed,  as  usual,  the  path  through  the  Swamp  of 
Oracles  beside  Ball  Brook,  leading  out  through  the 
clearings  of  Ball  Farm.  Here  I  waded  through  Iris 
Milton,  Lycidas. 


142        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Swamp  beyond,  coming  out  to  the  pasture-land  of 
Kimball  Farm. 

This  season,  many  changes  have  occurred  in  the 
Kimball  Bogs,  the  hillsides  closing  in  about  them 
having  been  almost  sheared  of  their  trees.  This  re- 
sults in  flooding  the  heart  of  the  svi^amp  with  sunshine, 
and  may  in  time  dry  up  the  growth  of  the  beautiful 
moss  known  as  Sphagnum,  and  also  destroy  the  Buck- 
beans.  The  cows  were  browsing  among  the  small 
tamaracks,  and  no  signs  of  the  Showy  Queen  of  the 
Moccasin- Flowers  were  visible  hereabout  this  June. 
The  Tall  Green  Orchis  {Habenaria  hyperborea)  grew 
luxuriantly  in  a  pool  over  the  fence  near  the  clearing. 
Purple  Trilliums  were  also  very  abundant  along  my 
path.  I  passed  out  through  the  vale,  keeping  the 
winding  road  until  I  reached  the  brow  of  the  orchard 
beyond,  which  was  in  full  bloom. 

The  distant  hills  wore  a  delicate  clear  blue  tone,  and 
as  I  caught  glimpses  of  them  between  the  round  hills 
about  me,  I  distinguished  Mount  ^olus,  that  distant 
pile  of  Dorset  marble  far  to  the  northeast  of  the  Gap. 
Leaving  the  orchard,  I  crossed  the  road  and  entered 
the  deep  grasses  of  the  old  lake  meadow,  where  the 
sphagnum  is  knee-deep.  Here,  as  last  June,  the  In- 
dian Poke  and  cowslip  blossoms  freshened  the  borders 
of  the  stream.  Along  the  edges  of  this  wet  region,  I 
waded  carefully  until  I  reached  the  famous  Spring  of 
Arethusa,  around  the  glacial  hill  to  the  left.  I  searched 
in  the  open  meadow  beyond  the  mill  for  Pitcher- Plant 
blossoms, — and  found  many  in  full  bloom.    The  grasses 


Moccasin-Flo-wers  143 

were  ablaze  with  tasselled  sedges  and  nodding  flowers 
of  Iris, — a  sight  well  worth  a  long  journey  to  see. 

I  rounded  about  the  swamp,  and  passed  out  at  the 
north  end,  near  Washon  Bridge  House.  Here  I  as- 
cended westward, —  over  the  knob-like  hill  north  of 
Pownal  Pond.  On  the  opposite  slope  I  descended,  find- 
ing nothing  but  trees  and  fences  in  my  way.  I  observed 
a  hollow-hearted  chestnut  tree, —  a  shell  and  nothing 
more.  I  could  scarcely  see  where  its  green  branches 
could  gain  nourishment.  The  leaves  were,  however, 
the  largest  in  the  wood,  and  the  buds  were  perfect. 
The  heart  of  this  old  tree  was  an  empt}^  blackened 
space,  the  outer  bark  weather-worn  and  crumbling  in 
decay. 

Arriving  on  the  north  shore  of  the  pond,  I  searched 
for  the  aquatic  plant  Pol/ygonum  amphibium,  which  I 
had  observed  last  season  along  the  muddy  pools.  The 
fencing  of  the  sheep-pasture  here  debarred  very  free 
progress  about  the  shore.  I  was  forced  to  climb  the 
hill  for  some  distance  to  find  an  opening  through  the 
network  of  barbed  wires.  The  day  was  warm,  and  the 
sheep  had  taken  shelter  in  the  shade  of  the  pines  on 
the  hillside. 

The  small  pine  grove  along  the  west  shore  of  Pow- 
nal Pond  is  often  used  as  a  picnic  ground.  Years  ago 
the  south  shore  of  this  lake  was  clothed  with  dense 
oak,  pine,  and  maple  trees.  These  vales  were  the 
homes  of  many  sturdy  settlers  while  the  fields  were 
being  cleared.  The  stone  walls  which  they  erected 
outlast  the  memor>'  of  their  builders,  and  are  the  only 


144        Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

monuments  that  time  cannot  remove.  The  few  re- 
maining gable-roofed  houses  with  their  gaping  doors 
and  windows,  along  the  East  Road,  during  the  next 
few  years  will  become  obliterated  entirely.  The  over- 
grown hedges  of  cherry-trees  and  grape-vines  aiC 
still  struggling  for  existence  by  the  road ;  while  the 
cinnamon-rose  and  southernwood  are  choked  amid  the 
cat-mint  and  burdock  along  the  border  of  the  door- 
yard  path. 

These  vales  of  Etchowog  are  deserted,  and  the  thrift 
of  the  Revolutionary  days  has  departed.  Nature  is  re- 
turning to  her  pristine  state,  and  seeks  to  subdue  these 
traces  of  man  by  covering  all  with  weeds,  slow  decay, 
and  mould. 

Once  in  the  pine  grove,  I  discovered  that  I  was  in 
the  vicinity  of  a  small  cabin,  which  stood  on  the  brow 
of  the  hill  overlooking  the  pond.  A  door  opened 
southward  from  the  house,  and  pasted  upon  it  in  bold 
handwriting  was  the  declaration  that  it  was  inhabited. 

"  Rented  by  Edward  Green,  Esquire, 
Do  not  trespass  on  these  premises." 

The  water  along  the  muddy  edges  of  the  pond  dis- 
played innumerable  wriggling  poUywogs  and  small 
fishes.  About  midway  along  the  shore,  I  found  the 
Polygonum  in  blossom.  I  recognized  the  pink  clusters 
nodding  on  the  water  at  some  distance  from  the  bank. 
The  wind,  blowing  in  little  whirling  gusts,  ruffled  the 
waves.  The  distant  Yellow  Lily  pads  {Nymphcea  ad- 
vena)  flapped  strangely  for  an  instant  or  two, — turning 


The  Beautiful  Arethusa.    (Arriltusa  bulbosa.) 
This  is  a  rare,  shy  orchid  found  in  company  with  the  Rose  Pogonia  and  the  Grass- 
Pink  in  the  heart  of  sphagnous  swamps 


Moccasin-Flow^ers  145 

their  great  round  leaves  over  on  the  water's  surface, 
and  displaying  their  crimson  linings. 

I  now  devoted  myself  to  solving  the  great  problem 
of  snaring  the  Lady's-Thumbs  of  this  deep-water 
species  of  Polygoniim.  They  were  just  beyond  my 
reach,  and  I  was  obliged  to  drag  up  an  old  weather- 
worn, decaying  pine,  and  float  it  out  to  walk  upon. 
With  a  staff  in  one  hand  and  a  willowy  snare  in 
the  other,  I  ventured  out  upon  the  bridge  as  far  as  I 
dared  to  go.  I  managed  after  many  a  slip  to  snare  off 
the  blossoms  and  float  them  in  to  shore.  On  June  26th 
I  was  able  to  secure  some  of  the  flowers  of  Polygonum 
growing  in  the  centre  of  Thompson's  Pond,  and  found 
the  two  plants  identical. 

There  are  seventy-one  species  of  this  genus  in  North 
America,  and  about  two  hundred  reported  for  the 
world.  The  above  species,  found  in  our  lakes  and 
ponds,  is  not  rare,  yet  it  is  seldom  observed  in  clear 
water.     It  was  for  me  a  new  discovery  for  this  region. 

I  was  pretty  well  soaked  after  wading  around  these 
muddy  shores,  and  not  a  little  tired  with  the  planning 
and  building  of  bridges.  I  rested,  therefore,  on  the 
hillside  among  the  ferns,  watching  the  daring  devil 's- 
darning-needles  —  dragon-flies  —  come  and  go  about 
my  head.  The  name  of  darning-needle  is  still  full  of 
alarm  to  me,  but  the  dragon-fly  is  harmless  both  in 
name  and  nature.  Bees  were  busy  humming  at  their 
duty,  frogs  were  croaking  the  hours  away,  and  the 
wind  was  still  flapping  the  ancient  pads  of  Nymphaea. 
while  low,  sweet  tones  through  the  forest  crept.    I  could 


146        Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

have  fallen  fast  asleep  here  beneath  these  shades,  yet  I 
was  far  from  home,  and  my  boots  were  heavy  and  wet. 

I  made  slow  progress  homeward  to-day,  with  my 
heavy  foot-gear  and  vasculum.  I  followed  the  dusty 
road  to  the  Ball  Farm  gate.  Here  I  turned  into  the 
old  grassy  way  which  had  been  in  use  before  the  pres- 
ent road  was  built  near  Thompson's  Brook.  One  can 
scarcely  trace  a  track  of  the  traffic  of  the  past  years  in 
the  present  sod.  The  stone  walls  on  either  side  of  the 
lane  are  hidden  with  woodbine  and  red-raspberry 
bushes.  Beside  this  path  towers  a  great  pine  tree.  I 
had  promised  myself  a  long  rest  beneath  this  shade, 
and  gladly  threw  down  my  pack,  and  made  a  pillow  of 
my  tin  can. 

The  fleecy  clouds  rolled  across  the  infinite  blue  over 
my  head,  and  a  sense  of  relaxation  and  solitude  stole 
over  me.  I  must  have  fallen  asleep,  and  I  was  sud- 
denly aroused  by  the  cawing  of  crows  that  were  cir- 
cling above  me, — wondering  perhaps  whether  Major 
and  I  were  in  a  proper  condition  for  their  approach. 

I  was  more  tired  after  my  rest  than  before,  and  I  be- 
gan to  question,  as  many  of  my  neighbors  had  done, 
the  wisdom  and  profit  of  my  bog-trotting.  Well,  my 
neighbors  see  no  value  in  pitcher-plants  and  sundew. 
They  say  there  is  no  money  in  them,  and  pity  me  for 
investing  my  time  as  I  do.  Neither  do  I  understand 
why  the  farmer  chooses  to  cultivate  squash  rather  than 
follow  some  other  occupation.  It  is  his  business  to 
cultivate  squash  as  it  is  my  business  to  cultivate  sun- 
dew.    Some  crops  are  failures  in  their  monetary  re- 


Moccasin-Flo^wers  147 

turns, — others  in  their  yield  of  pleasure.  As  many  wish 
money  only  to  procure  pleasure,  if  pleasure  can  be  pro- 
cured without  it,  why  not  take  the  easy  way  ?  The 
end  is  the  same  without  the  worry  of  the  squash-bugs, 
and  the  weeding  and  hilling  of  the  crop, — to  say  noth- 
ing of  selling  the  fruit.  The  sundew  plant  would  die 
were  it  to  exchange  its  habitat  for  that  of  the  squash. 

Giving  myself  a  shake,  I  arose  and  again  started  on 
my  way.  Once  through  the  fence,  I  nailed  fast  the 
board  I  had  loosened,  and  climbed  up  to  the  road 
through  the  blackberry  briars. 

I  did  not  make  another  journey  for  a  week  or  more. 
On  June  loth,  I  ventured  through  the  Glen  of  Comus 
to  see  the  colony  of  the  two  hundred  Moccasins.  An 
albino  —  a  pure  white  flower  of  Cypripedmm  acaule  — 
was  found  recently  by  a  lad  in  the  district.  He  re- 
ports that  he  collected  it  amid  a  group  of  thirteen  Pink 
Moccasin-Flowers,  apparently  the  only  pale  one  of  the 
sisters. 

Upon  close  examination  of  the  structural  parts  of 
the  albino,  I  observed  that  the  left  anther  had  not  de- 
veloped at  all.  It  appeared  blasted  in  embryo,  and 
now  looked  like  a  brown  smeared  spot.  The  sepals 
and  lateral  petals  were  of  a  rich  chrome  yellow.  The 
dainty  labellum  was  pure  white,  of  a  pearl-like  texture 
in  the  veining,  and  tinged  with  chrome  on  the  crest  of 
the  moccasin.  It  was  indeed  a  strange,  beautiful 
flower. 

I  had  always  supposed  that  an  albino  of  any  species 
of  orchid  was  pure  white  throughout  its  parts,  and  was 


148        Bog-Trotting'  for  Orchids 

therefore  surprised  to  find  the  sepals  and  side  petals 
yellow. 

Albinos  of  this  species  have  been  collected  in  this 
district  for  four  seasons.  A  colony,  found  near  the 
schoolhouse,  produced  six  white  blossoms.  The  chil- 
dren, calling  them  faded  Pink  Moccasins,  believed  them 
to  have  lost  their  color  after  maturing.  It  appears 
from  its  persistence  that  the  variety  is  permanent,  and 
not  the  freak  of  a  season.  The  abnormal  anther  may 
be  present  in  all  albinos.  If  so,  it  is  evident  that  evo- 
lution is  taking  place  in  the  Pink  Moccasin- Flower 
through  the  suppression  of  one  anther  in  genus  Cypri- 
pedium,  which  possesses  two,  while  all  other  genera  of 
the  family  have  but  one  anther. 

The  colony  of  the  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  in  Rattle- 
snake Swamp,  producing  forty-two  blossoms  in  1899, 
unfolded  but  fifteen  flowers  this  season.  For  reasons 
unknown  to  me,  it  was  not  a  good  year  for  Cypri- 
pediums. 


XII 
Saucy  Jays  and  Polypores 

To  arched  walks  of  twilight  groves, 
And  shadows  brown,  that  Sylvan  loves, 
Of  pine,  or  monumental  oak, 
Where  the  rude  axe,  with  heaved  stroke, 
"Was  never  heard  the  nymphs  to  daunt, 
Or  fright  them  from  their  hallowed  haunt. 

M11.TON,  II  Penseroso. 

IFOIylyOWED  down  one  of  those  sun-dried  brook 
beds  that  melting  snows  from  the  hillsides  had  ero- 
ded during  past  ages.  It  proved  a  short  journey  to 
the  Glen  of  Comus,  descending  northward  toward 
Ball  Brook  in  the  vale  below.  I  had  not  proceeded  far 
when  I  discovered  what  at  first  sight  seemed  a  robin's 
nest,  built  high  in  the  branches  of  the  American  Horn- 
beam,— or,  as  it  is  locally  known,  the  Iron-Wood  tree 
{Carpinus  Caroliniana) .  It  is  the  only  American  species 
of  this  genus  in  the  Birch  Family.  Several  saplings 
stood  about  fifteen  feet  high,  two  having  so  interlaced 
their  branches  as  to  form  a  strong  crotch  about  eight 
feet  from  the  ground.  The  nest  was  fashioned  roughly, 
built  of  small  sticks,  and  fastened  in  the  crotch-like  loft 
of  these  trees.  I^ooking  more  closely,  I  perceived  the 
nest  was  a  third  larger  than  the  robin's,  and  was  not 
plastered  with  mud.  I  soon  discovered  that  the  bird 
149 


150        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

upon  the  nest  had  blue  tail  feathers  and  a  jaunty  cadet 
top-knot,  as  she  peeped  over  the  edge  of  the  nest  at  me. 
This  was,  then,  the  saucy  jay's  nest,  so  seldom  found 
about  these  woods.  She  became  disturbed,  and  flew 
off  down  the  ravine.  I  managed  to  climb  up  the  trees 
high  enough  to  determine  that  the  eggs  were  still 
unhatched. 

The  glen  was  dark  here,  and  Major  and  I  sat  in  the 
dim  light  beneath  the  shadows  of  this  dense  under- 
wood. The  jays  began  in  chorus  to  scream  unmerci- 
fully. They  were  distressed  by  Major's  presence,  and 
flew  saucily  above  his  head.  He  scarcely  knew  what 
to  make  of  it  all, —  not  being  a  bird-dog, —  and  sat  de- 
murely looking  at  me  and  wagging  his  tail.  Finally, 
tired  of  their  own  screaming,  the  jays  proceeded  down 
through  the  intricate  windings  of  the  hollow,  and  we 
heard  their  mutterings  at  a  distance, — a  pleasant  wild 
sound  through  these  forests. 

I  looked  carefully  over  the  iron- wood  trees.  They 
are  not  uncommon  hereabout.  Their  trunks  are  ridged 
and  muscular  in  appearance.  These  trees  are  in  fact 
very  strong,  possessing  the  endurance  of  the  oak  and 
beech.  They  never  attain  great  height, — from  fifteen 
to  forty  feet  or  so, — but  the  weight  of  their  wood  to  the 
cubic  foot  is  forty  to  fifty  pounds. 

Many  decaying  logs  of  yellow  birch  and  pine  stumps 
were  scattered  along  the  brook  bed.  They  were  cov- 
ered with  beautiful  mosses  and  fungi.  The  shelf-like 
growth,  known  as  Polypores,  was  abundant  on  these 
trees.     There  are  several   varieties  of  this  group  of 


The  Rattlesnake   Plantain,     i  r.-ramiiiin.)      A  group  of  three  species  collected 
Rattlesnake   Ledge,   Mount  (Eta,  Pownal,  Vermont. 


Saucy  Jays  and  Polypores       151 

fungi  here.  The  larger  kind  often  attains  a  diameter 
from  six  inches  to  three  or  four  feet,  in  a  semicircle, 
according  to  age.  It  is  a  hard,  leathery  or  cork-like 
growth  full  of  pores,  the  top  of  the  shelf  seeming  like 
a  slanting  roof,  grained  and  striated  as  it  were,  with 
colored  slates  of  graj^  and  brown.  This  fungus  seeks  no 
special  species  of  decayed  tree,  as  I  find  it  clinging  to 
several, — the  yellow  and  white  birch,  and  hemlock  logs 
and  stumps. 

The  underside  of  Polypores  is  of  a  soft  ashes-of-roses 
hue  when  fresh,  later  becoming  a  dull  gray-brown.  If 
one  looks  sharply  at  the  under  surface,  even  with  the 
naked  eye,  he  will  observe  little  pores  no  larger  than 
pin-points.  Under  the  magnifying-glass,  these  appear 
like  giant  honeycomb  cells.  Cutting  through  a  section 
of  the  shelf,  we  find  that  these  pores  penetrate  the 
heart  of  the  shelf.  In  these  little  pore-like  cells,  the 
spores  or  seeds  are  borne,  more  hidden  even  than  those 
of  the  Fern  Family. 

The  name  Polypores  originated  from  these  minute 
pores.  Puff-balls  or  toadstools  spring  up  during  a 
night  in  pastures  or  corners  in  rich  wood.  But  the 
Polypores  are  slow  in  growth. 

A  beautiful  species  of  the  Polypores  is  worshipped 
by  the  natives  in  Guinea.  I  also  have  found  and  wor- 
shipped several  specimens  of  great  beauty.  I  discov- 
ered a  very  large  shelf  on  a  decaying  hemlock  stump 
in  Rattlesnake  Swamp,  which  I  severed  carefully  with 
a  woodsaw,  removing  enough  of  the  stump  to  show  its 
attachment  to  the  tree. 


152        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

As  I  passed  through  the  glen  to-day,  I  found  many- 
large  and  small  specimens  of  this  fungus,  whose  growth 
demands  a  humid  atmosphere.  The  fact  that  decay 
does  not  take  place  rapidly  save  in  a  damp,  warm  wood, 
naturally  proves  that  Polypores  require  such  shades  as 
these  in  which  to  develop. 

Tall  brakes  rose  luxuriantly  four  feet  high  or  more. 
The  atmosphere  was  heavy,  and  the  sphagnum  was 
steaming  wherever  the  sunshine  poured  through  the 
leaves  upon  it.  A  certain  fragrance  of  the  earth  rose 
up  from  the  swamp  and  met  me  everywhere, — a  min- 
gled perfume  as  of  violets  and  Cypripediums.  I  ex- 
plored about  the  pools  to  the  left,  finding  many  flowers 
in  bloom. 

Upon  a  miniature  island  in  the  centre  of  the  pool 
grew  the  tall  spikes  of  the  Queen  Moccasin-Flower,  in 
bud.  Turning  to  the  south,  under  the  hill  among  the 
rocks,  is  the  fountain  of  the  glen,  which  freshens 
the  heart  of  the  flowers  beyond.  Surely  these  are  the 
haunts  of  thrushes,  as  well  as  the  home  of  the  queen 
of  the  orchids.  The  Golden  Moccasin-Flowers  peeped 
out  from  beneath  the  shades  of  ferns,  and  sprinkled  the 
mellow  glooms  with  jewels,  like  footsteps  of  sunshine 
left  by  the  wood-nymphs  of  old. 

The  footprints  of  the  woodman  and  the  clips  from 
his  axe  are  yet  unknown  in  this  Glen  of  Comus.  This 
is  the  sanctuary  of  the  gods  of  old,  and  these  the  altars 
beneath  the  roofless  temples,  where  man  may  worship 
still  the  deities  of  Nature.  The  wood-thrush's  song 
rings  through  these  cathedral  aisles  : 


Saucy  Jays  and  Polypores       153 

,  "  Untwisting  all  the  chains  that  tie 

The  hidden  soul  of  harmony."  ■ 

I  crept  quietly  through  all  these  winding  halls, 
which  I  had  never  before  explored.  Near  the  north- 
ern portal  of  the  glen  stood  a  white  birch,  branchless, 
and  mellow  in  decay,  yet  beautifully  robed  with  deli- 
cate Butterfly  Polypores  of  a  velvety -purplish  hue. 
Turning  at  the  junction  of  the  streams,  I  frightened 
up  the  oven-bird,  the  golden-crowned  thrush.  She 
moaned  and  fluttered  away,  as  though  in  distress, 
dropping  her  wings  and  hiding  among  the  ferns.  I 
searched  about  for  her  nest,  and  soon  found  it  low  upon 
the  ground.  Her  cottage  door  was  open  to  the  south, 
revealing  five  pinkish  eggs  mottled  with  purple.  The 
nest  was  hooded, — thatched,  as  it  were,  like  an  Indian's 
wigwam,  with  leaves,  twigs,  ferns,  and  mosses, — so  like 
the  ground  itself  that  I  nearly  walked  upon  it. 

We  have  five  true  thrushes  of  genus  Turdus  in  the  At- 
lantic Region — the  Veery,  Wood-Thrush,  and  Hermit- 
Thrush  are  found  in  this  immediate  region.  They  are 
our  peerless  woodland  songsters,  coming  about  May 
ist,  and  often  lingering  until  September  15th.  The 
Veery  winters  in  Central  America,  and  flies  as  far  north 
as  Newfoundland  to  nest  in  summer.  Like  the  Her- 
mit-Thrush, it  builds  its  nest  on  the  ground.  The 
Veery  has  a  mysterious  strain  likened  often  to  an 
^olian  harp  ;  the  Wood-Thrush  rings  like  the  chimes 
of  vesper  bells,  and  the  Hermit-Thrush  has  the  deepest 
note  of  all,  rolling  like  "  anthems  clear"  through  the 
'  Milton,  L' Allegro. 


154        Dog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

dim  woods.     Burroughs  translates  its  song  thus  :  "  O 
spheral,  spheral !     O  holy,  holy  !  " 

My  delight  was  complete,  since  I  had  found  two  rare 
birds'  nests  within  an  hour, —  those  of  the  melancholy 
songster  and  the  screaming  jay.  Four  days  later  I 
visited  both  of  these  nests  to  see  the  birdlings.  The 
mother  jay  was  not  at  home,  so  I  did  not  distress  her 
when  I  climbed  up  to  peep  at  the  homely  babies.  I 
passed  on  down  to  the  deeper  glen  to  the  oven-bird's 
wigwam.  She  too  was  absent.  Five  little  bald  heads 
and  five  wide-gaping  mouths  were  revealed  as  I  drew 
near  the  nest,  bespeaking  the  necessity  of  a  thrifty 
mother  to  search  for  food  to  satisfy  their  needs.  I 
touched  their  little  heads,  then  drew  back  and  waited 
almost  an  hour  for  the  return  of  the  mother  bird,  hop- 
ing to  see  the  feeding  of  the  young.  But  she  was 
either  shy  or  belated,  and  did  not  appear. 


THIRD   SEASON 


XIII 

TKe  S-wamps  and  Hills  of  MosKolu 
and  Lcwerre,  Ne^w  YorK 

Within  the  circuit  of  this  plodding  life, 
There  enter  moments  of  an  azure  hue. 

Thoreau,  Excursions. 

THIS  season,  on  May  15th,  I  began  my  explora- 
tions in  the  hills  and  swamps  of  Mosholu 
and  Lowerre.  The  most  conspicuous  flowers 
about  these  woods  are  trillium,  spring  beauties 
{Claytonia  Virghiica),  bird's-foot  violets,  yellow  violets, 
jack-in-the-pulpits,  and  pink  azaleas.  The  swamps 
and  slopes  east  of  the  Mosholu  station  are  bright  with 
these  blossoms,  which  peep  from  the  sod  and  shrub  in 
their  turn.  In  several  places,  also  columbine,  Dutch- 
man's-breeches  and  dog's-tooth  lily  are  abundant.  Dur- 
ing May  these  flowers,  with  the  trees  of  snowy  dogwood 
blossoms,  fill  the  rolling  hills  and  quiet  valleys  with 
delicate  perfume  and  unrivaled  glory. 

Along  the  higher  ridges,  the  brilliant  Rock  Pinks 
{Phlox  subulatd)  bloom  abundantly.  Their  mossy-mats 
creep  over  the  hills  from  Bronx  Park  to  Yonkers. 
They  belong  especially  to  the  extreme  southern  part 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  southward  to  Virginia 
157 


158        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

and  westward  to  Michigan.  In  these  woods  of  Mosh- 
olu  and  Lowerre  they  flower  immediately  after  the 
Dutchman' s-breeches  have  faded.  I  had  believed  that 
these  pinks  must  grow  as  far  north  as  West  Rock  and 
the  rocky  heights  of  the  Giant  at  Mount  Carmel,  as 
well  as  about  the  ridges  bordering  L,ake  Saltonstall, 
near  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  I  was,  however,  dis- 
appointed to  find  that  their  territory  extended  no 
farther  north  than  the  wilder  woods  of  New  York  City. 

I  discovered  many  beautiful  plants  of  the  Prickly 
Pear,  or  Indian  Fig  {Opu7itia  Opuntid)  of  the  Cactus 
Family.  It  was  named  for  a  town  in  Greece  where  it 
grew.  This  strange  relic  of  the  primeval  wood  blooms 
in  June,  producing  a  sulphurous-yellow  flower  of  great 
beauty.  The  large,  spatulate-lobed,  juicy  leaves  are 
sap-green  in  color,  bearing  many  thorn-like  spines. 
The  new  leaves,  or  lobes,  appear  as  joints  along  the 
edges  of  the  parent  leaf.  The  fruit  is  edible.  This 
species  is  often  cultivated.  It  belongs  natively  to  the 
rocky  shores  of  Nantucket,  Rhode  Island,  and  to  Man- 
hattan Island.  It  is  not  abundant  in  Bronx  Wood, 
however.  Isolated  colonies  of  the  plant  live  in  New 
York  City,  along  the  mutton-backed  granite  rocks  in 
vacant  lots,  west  of  St.  Nicholas  Avenue,  and  along 
Washington  Heights. 

Wild  Garlic,  of  the  Lily  Family,  is  ever  present  about 
the  hills  of  Bronx  Valley  and  Spuyten  Duy vil  Creek. 

The  Bird's-Foot  Violet  {^Viola  pedatd)  and  the 
Round-IvCaved  Violet  (  Viola  rotiindifolia)  seem  to  run 
riot  on  the  Mosholu  Hills,  but  it  is  not  always  easy 


i 

> 

^      '^^i                        j^^^^^^^BPQ^^^^^^^^^H 

l^^^BSH 

^ 

\  ^^^^1 

>-- 

j#^  ^  ^^M^J 

^  Cii^b^'J^B^H 

p 

^[p         ^^^K^^^^^^B         %Hr  ^^1 

*'"         ^^Kliif  m 

r 

^yS^^ 

'^-tt^  ^^^H                  ,^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^1 

The  Snowy  Dogwood  Blossoms,  from  the  Hills  of  Mosholu,  New  York. 

"  hike  a  drift  of  tardy  snow,  i^ainty  petals  spreadiiif;  ividc. 

Tangled  where  the  trees  are  low.  Heart-shaped,  lying  side  by  side. 

Scented  dogwood  blossoms  blow.  Not  a  leaf  the  flowers  to  hide." 

Mary  Wilson. 


MosHolu  and  Lo"werre  159 

to  distinguish  the  species.  A  variety  of  Bird's-Foot 
Violet  that  grows  here  appears  Hke  a  small  pansy,  and 
is  designated  as  Viola  bicolor,  producing  two  delicate, 
velvety  hues  of  blue-purple.  The  plant  derived  its 
common  name  from  the  shape  of  the  leaves,  which  are 
divided  into  five  to  eleven  pointed  lobes. 

The  early  Greek  name  for  Violets  and  Pansies  was 
Ion.  According  to  Emperor  Constantine,  it  arose  from 
lo,  a  nymph  loved  of  Jupiter,  Nicander  wrote  that  the 
name  Ion  was  given  to  Violets  because  the  Nymphs 
first  presented  Jupiter  with  these  flowers  in  the  fields 
of  Ionia.  They  were  known  to  Virgil  as  Vacci7iium, 
and  later  in  Latin  as  Vittulce,  ViolcB,  and  to-day  they  are 
classified  as  Viola.  Species  of  these  plants  were  desig- 
nated by  the  early  Greek  apothecaries  as  '' Herbes  Bol- 
bo7iac."  In  the  sixteenth  century  plants  of  this  family 
grew  wild  among  the  corn-field  stubbles  of  England, 
according  to  Dodoens  and  lyyte.  They  were  known  as 
Viola,  lacea,  Herbe  Clauellata,  Pances,  Eove-in-Idleuess, 
and  Heart' s-Ease. 

The  Downy  Yellow  Violet  ( Viola  pnbcsce7is),  al- 
though not  so  common  as  blue  violets  in  Bronx 
Woods,  is  abundant  in  special  corners  among  the 
damp  hillsides.  Here,  too,  the  Sweet  White  Violet 
(  Viola  bla7ida)  dwells  near  the  borders  of  streams.  It 
is  delicately  fragrant,  although  not  so  sweet-scented  as 
the  Canada  Violet  (  Viola  Ca7iade7isis)  growing  north- 
ward as  well  as  southward  along  mountainside  streams. 
The  perfume  of  the  Canada  Violet  is  much  like  that 
of  the  Small  Yellow  Moccasin -Flower, 


i6o        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit  preaches  from  many  rocky  hills 
and  hollows  in  Mosholu  and  I,owerre,  where  grow  the 
largest  plants  I  ever  saw.  They  spring  from  bulbous 
turnip  or  onion-like  roots,  and  are  sometimes  called 
Indian  Turnips.  These  plants  were  known  by  Pliny 
in  Christ's  day  as  "Dragons,"  on  account  of  the  stalks, 
which  are  speckled  like  an  adder's  skin.  The  ancients 
believed  that  the  leaves  of  Dragonworts,  carried  in  the 
clothing,  would  prevent  stings  of  vipers.  Others  be- 
lieved that  the  leaves,  wrapped  around  cheese,  would 
keep  it  from  mouldering. 

Matthiolus  thus  described  the  Skunk-Cabbage  of 
this  group,  to  which  was  attributed  mythical  properties, 
since  it  grew  sparingly  in  northern  Asia  :  "  Great  large 
leaves,  folded  and  lapped  one  within  another,  with  an 
upright  stalke,  at  the  top  a  floure  like  to  a  spikie-eare. " 

The  Green  Dragonwort  and  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  were 
known,  until  recently,  generically  as  Arum.  Ariscerjia 
antedates  Arum,  referring  to  the  red-blotched  stalks  of 
some  species.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  to-day  is  known  in 
the  science  as  Ariscema  triphyllum.  The  origin  of  the 
name  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  is  recent,  and,  like  Indian 
Turnip,  is  purely  of  American  origin.  Clara  Smith 
of  Medford,  Massachusetts,  so  christened  these  Dragon- 
worts,  in  a  poem  which  was  sent  to  Whittier  for  re- 
vision. He  published  it  in  Child  Life,  about  1884,  after 
amending  and  adding  several  lines.  The  poem  became 
popular,  and  the  flower  was  thereafter  known  as  '  'Jack- 
in-the-Pulpit." 

Columbine  was  especially  plentiful  along  the  hill- 


MosKolu  and  Lcwerre  161 

sides  ;  and  the  hollows  and  crevices  of  rocks  were  filled 
with  blade-like  leaves,  resembling  Sweet  Flag  (Acorus 
Calaimis).  The}^  proved,  however,  to  be  the  leaves  of 
the  Blackberry  Lilj'  {Gemmingia  Chinensis).  This 
lily  creeps  from  southern  New  York  to  Georgia.  The 
seeds  resemble  blackberries.  The  plant  produces 
several  large  blossoms  in  a  terminal  bracted  cluster, 
of  an  orange  color  mottled  with  purple.  This  species 
was  formerly  known  as  Pardanthus,  meaning  a  lycop- 
ard-Flower.     The  roots  are  of  a  golden  color. 

Returning  from  the  Point  of  Rocks  above  Deer 
Park,  I  passed  along  lanes  bordered  with  cedars  and 
junipers,  while  violets,  rosy-pinks  and  tufts  of  maiden- 
hair spleenwort  clung  to  the  ledges.  On  leaving  the 
swamp  below,  I  found  a  drowsy  diamond  snake  in  a 
stupor,  from  having  recently  swallowed  a  bird  or  frog. 
The  diamond-shaped  checks  upon  his  skin  betrayed 
his  species.  He  is  considered  venomous,  therefore  I 
remained  a  safe  distance  from  him. 

On  May  i8th  I  again  visited  the  Point  of  Rocks  and 
McLean's  Woods,  searching  for  Orchis  spedabilis  and 
for  Cypripedium  parviflorum .  Leaving  the  car  at  Bed- 
ford Park,  we  struck  westward,  coming  out  near  Poe 
Park,  where  still  stands  that  quaint  white  cottage  in 
which  Poe  wrote  The  Raven.  We  bore  around  the 
slopes,  northward  beyond  the  Racing  Park,  and  entered 
a  country  lane,  soon  turning  again  to  the  left  into  the 
forest,  where  stood  great  pools  of  water.  Along  the 
sluggish  stream  grew  many  rare  species  of  fern.  Finally 
we  entered  Jerome  Avenue,  leading  toward  Yonkers. 


1 62        Bo^-Trotting'  for  Orchids 

We  searched  the  borders  of  the  roadside  for  that 
little  two-leaved  orchid,  Twayblade  {Leptorchis  lilii- 
folia),  formerly  known  as  lyily-I^eaved  I^iparis,  which 
grows  here  in  the  moist  woods.  We  were  too  early 
for  it,  however.  We  turned  oflf  into  the  deeper  woods 
till  we  came  to  the  tangled  edges  of  Mclyean's  Swamp. 
Here,  a  little  later,  I  collected  pink  azaleas  and  marsh 
marigolds,  golden-ragwort, — known  as  the  False  Valer- 
ian {Senecio  aiireus), — white  mustard,  and  water-cress, 
— also  of  the  Mustard  Family.  Throughout  these 
beautiful  woods  the  Broad-Beech  Fern  {Phegopteris 
hexagonoptera)  and  the  Oak  Fern  {Phegopteris  Dryop- 
teris)  dwell.  The  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  and  Indian  Cu- 
cumbers were  here,  towering  above  the  False  lyilies- 
of- the- Valley  and  Trillium;  and  among  these  vines 
the  dainty  golden-shoes  of  the  Fragrant  Cypripedium 
tripped  forth  like  fairy's  foot-gear.  The  Indian 
Cucumber  {Medeola  Virginiana)  is  a  strange  plant 
belonging  to  the  Lily-of-the- Valley  Family,  The  root 
is  tuberous,  of  a  white,  brittle  substance,  with  a  flavor 
like  that  of  the  garden  cucumber.  The  leaves  occur 
in  two  whorls  along  the  slender  stalk.  About  the 
middle  of  the  stem  there  is  a  whorl  of  five  to  nine 
oblong-lanceolate  leaves ;  above  this  another  smaller 
whorl  occurs,  with  three  to  five  leaves  ;  and  still  above 
this,  all  the  small  flowers  nod  toward  the  ground. 

Medeola  is  an  adaptation  of  Medea,  the  name  of  the 
daughter  of  King  ^etes  of  Colchis,  who  aided  Jason 
by  her  witchcraft,  and  was  afterward  deserted  by  him. 
This  plant  is  supposed  to  possess  magic  properties  as  a 


MosKolu  and  Lo-werre  i6 


medicine,  and  is  thus  used  by  the  Indians  and  other 
superstitious  folk. 

Colonies  of  Brake  and  Clayton's  Fern  grew  in  the 
hollows  on  the  hill,  and  about  the  stagnant  pools 
northward.  We  wandered  up  and  down  the  slopes 
with  eyes  bent  upon  the  ground,  carefully  pacing  be- 
tween the  vines,  searching  for  the  Golden  Moccasin- 
Flowers.  Most  of  the  buds  still  were  folded  within  the 
sepals,  although  we  found  a  few  that  were  showing 
their  golden  tips  and  carmine  lacing-petals.  In  the 
swamps  beyond,  we  gathered  a  dozen  Nodding  Wake- 
Robins  (^Trillium  cernuuni).  This  species  is  not  so 
gaudy  as  the  Painted  Trillium,  being  of  a  delicate  rose- 
pink,  and  often  pure  white. 

Later  in  the  week,  while  exploring  to  the  east  be- 
yond the  lane  toward  Mount  Vernon,  I  ran  upon  a 
select  group  of  Cypripedmm  parviflorum,  many  stems 
of  which  bore  two  blossoms.  This  colony  grew  be- 
neath pines,  cedars,  thorns,  and  dogwood  trees.  The 
soil  was  rich  and  dry,  and  the  leaves,  for  the  most  part, 
were  blown  off  the  bare  black  soil.  I  counted  a  hun- 
dred plants— evidently  seedlings — besides  the  ones  in 
bloom.  Some  were  at  least  three  or  four  years  old  ; 
others  were  of  only  one  or  two  seasons'  growth.  The 
smallest  plants  were  but  a  few  months  old.  I  had 
never  found  so  many  natural  seedlings  of  Cypripedium 
before. 

We  journeyed  homeward  through  Putnam  Valley  to 
Mosholu,  passing  Van  Courtlandt  Mansion.  Near 
Cold  Spring,  along  the  borders  of  the  Golf  Links,  we 


164        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

found  the  handsome  leaves  of  Bloodroot  {Sangiiinaria 
Canadeyisis) ,  of  the  Poppy  Family,  which  is  one  of  the 
early  flowers,  and  is  pure  white.  The  roots  contain  a 
reddish  orange  juice  which  looks  like  blood,  whence 
the  name  is  derived. 

At  the  crossing  of  the  Putnam  Railroad,  we  passed 
over  the  bridge  near  Deer  Park,  east  of  Mosholu. 
Leaving  the  road  abruptly,  we  turned  to  the  right,  fol- 
lowing along  the  west  shore  of  the  Putnam  Swamp, 
which  is  filled  with  the  rank  growth  of  skunk' s- 
cabbage,  Indian  poke,  tangled  grape-vines,  mints, 
mustards,  golden  ragwort,  violets,  dog's-tooth  lilies, 
and  unknown  measures  of  wild  ginger  root,  stick- 
tights,  or  "pitchforks,"  and  cockle-burrs. 

The  Yellow  Cypripedium  also,  at  one  time,  grew 
along  the  edges  of  the  swamp,  amid  the  Indian  poke, 
violets,  and  lilies.  Slowly  we  climbed  the  hill  toward 
the  northwest,  along  winding  paths  among  white 
birch  saplings,  pines,  and  junipers,  until  we  reached 
the  Point  of  Rock  near  Lowerre,  this  pile  of  granite 
being  the  highest  along  the  Putnam  Division,  in  this 
vale.  On  the  east  of  the  rocks,  we  found  a  dozen  or 
more  plants  of  the  Showy  Orchis,  scattered  among  the 
stones  and  vines.  Their  flowers,  however,  were  faded, 
and  fell  as  soon  as  touched.  Among  the  low  bushes 
and  plants  I  found  a  colony  of  the  leafless  parasitic 
Cancer- Root  {Thalesia  uniflord),  of  the  Broom-Rape 
Family. 

Another  plant  lacking  green  leaves  is  the  Indian 
Pipe  or  Corpse- Plant  {Monotropa  unijiora),  frequently 


Indian  Pipes.     (Monotropa  uniftora.) 

"  Humbly  it  wears  its  robe  of  snow. 

When  stonmer  gives  its  bud  release. 
And  Indians  called  it  long  ago 
The  Calumet  or  Pipe  of  Peace." 

W.  M.  L. 


Pine-Sap.     (Hypopitys  Hypopitys). 


MosKolu  and  Lo'werre  165 

met  among  the  Orange  Mountains  of  New  Jersey,  and 
throughout  the  Hoosac  Highlands.  It  grows  among 
decayed  brush-heaps  in  dark  woods,  during  June  and 
August.  There  are  twelve  species  of  Monotropaccce. 
The  flowers  of  a  sister  genus  of  Mo7iotropa,  found  in 
the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  are  remarkable  for  their 
deep  rose-carmine  coloring.  It  is  sometimes  known  as 
the  Snow-Plant  {Sa)-codes  sanguinea) .  The  tall  club- 
like, fleshy  spikes  are  encircled  with  crimson  pipe- 
shaped  flowers,  often  sixty  or  even  a  hundred  being 
found  on  one  spike.  A  specimen  plant,  collected  in 
Washoe  Valley  near  Franktown,  Nevada,  was  sent  to 
me  last  season,  on  May  15th.  The  flowers  grow  there 
along  the  higher  slopes  of  the  mountains,  at  an  eleva- 
tion from  six  to  nine  thousand  feet  above  sea  level, 
amid  brakes,  pine,  fir,  cedar,  golden-chestnut  bushes, 
and  the  beautiful  evergreen  shrub,  Manzanita  (yArdos- 
taphylos  punges) . 

Above  the  Point  of  Rocks,  a  rough  canvas  tent  was 
pitched  in  a  crevice  of  the  ledge — probably  the  tempo- 
rary abode  of  Italian  green  venders.  Columbines, 
rock -pinks,  violets,  and  Wood  Betony  {Pediculafis 
Canadensis)  crept  along  our  path.  The  plants  of  the 
Wood  Betony  produce  yellowish-green  as  well  as  crim- 
son-purple flowers.  They  are  often  called  Lousewort. 
Children  often  mis-name  them  orchids,  believing  this 
term  suitable  to  all  odd-looking  flowers. 

The  white  Monumental  Rock,  east  of  Mosholu 
Swamp,  is  covered  with  glacial  scratches.  From  its 
summit  a  dream  of  visual  delight  spreads  toward  the 


1 66        Dog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

blue  walls  of  the  Palisades  along  the  Hudson.  The 
blossoming  wood,  waving  with  pink  and  white  dog- 
wood branches,  the  western  slope  of  the  rock  itself, 
banked  with  rosy  pinks,  nodding  lily-bells,  and  colum- 
bine, form  a  scene  the  impression  of  which  never  can 
fade  from  the  mind. 

Passing  the  station  of  Mosholu,  we  followed  the  path 
along  the  railroad  southwardly  near  the  marsh.  Here, 
during  July,  three  rare  species  of  Habenaria  will  bloom 
And  in  the  meadows  farther  northward,  the  Ladies' 
Tresses — genus  Gyrostachys  of  the  Orchid  Family — and 
the  Blue  Fringed  Gentians  {Gentiana  crinitd)  will  un- 
fold in  September  and  October.  Soon  we  came  to  the 
end  of  the  swampy  path,  and  entered  the  broad  meadows 
of  Van  Courtlandt  Farm.  In  the  distance  the  antique 
Colonial  Mansion  of  Revolutionary  fame  stood  out 
among  the  ancient  trees.  Over  these  fields  the  first 
bobolinks  of  the  season  were  carolling.  I  found  one 
of  their  eggs  among  the  grasses.  It  is  a  risky  nesting- 
ground  for  birds.  The  parades  of  the  militia  form 
upon  these  fields,  the  regiments'  camp  being  located 
east  of  the  mansion.  The  trees  along  the  lanes  here- 
about are  English  species,  planted  years  ago  by  the 
owner  of  the  mansion.  Many  are  crumbling  and  de- 
caying as  the  mills  to  the  left.  Another  half  century 
will  do  away  with  such  as  these.  To  the  right  flows 
Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek, — a  small,  elusive  stream  ;  and 
as  it  glides  into  the  swamp  beyond,  it  covers  much 
marshland,  where  sedges  and  cat-tails  flourish  and  no 
one  dares  to  wade. 


^^.^ 


%'  tm^^Mi.Mim 


The  Snow-Plant  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains        {Sarcoiic-s  sauiiuuica.) 


XIV 

TKe  S'wamp  of  Oracles — Hoosac 
Valley 

Science  is  welcome  to  the  deepest  recesses  of  the  forest,  for 
there,  too  nature  obeys  the  same  old  civil  laws.  The  little  red 
bug  on  the  stump  of  a  pine, — for  it  the  wind  shifts  and  the  sun 
breaks  through  the  clouds. — Thoreau,  Week  on  the  Concord 
and  Merrimack  Rivers. 

ON  June  6th  I  departed  from  New  York  for 
the  Hoosac  Valley,  to  obtain  photographs 
of  my  orchids  and  their  haunts.  Rosy- 
faces,  golden-slippers,  witches' -bells,  and 
milky- white  stars  all  arose  from  the  earth  at  once  in 
gay  array,  and  disputed  their  line  of  order  in  posing 
for  their  pictures.  I  had  sent  no  forewarning  of  my 
coming  to  the  swamps.  I  fancied  I  should  find  more 
flowers  in  bloom  if  I  took  them  by  surprise. 

The  morning  of  the  seventh,  I  hurried  off"  at  sunrise 
through  the  dewy  meadows.  I  felt  sure  I  was  too 
late  for  the  Showy  Orchis  and  the  Ram's-Head  Cypri- 
pedium,  the  former  having  faded  in  Bronx  Valley  as 
early  as  May  i8th.  The  hills  were  glorious ;  the 
robins,  orioles,  and  bobolinks  were  carolling  joyously. 
The  meadows,  still  heavy  with  dew,  caused  me  to 
choose  my  path  along  the  edges  of  the  Bone  Lot  near 
the  old  Pond  Hole.  This  I  found  fringed  with  pink 
167 


1 68        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

azaleas, — the  swamp-apple  blossoms  loved  of  the  chil- 
dren hereabout.  I  entered  the  chestnut  wood  beyond, 
and  sought  the  colonj^  of  the  Large  Yellow  Moccasin- 
Flowers,  only  to  find  that  the  shoes  had  been  broken 
from  their  stems,  and  that  there  were  none  remaining. 
Still,  there  were  other  groups  in  the  Swamp  of  Oracles, 
and  I  proceeded  to  scout  the  slopes  leading  to  the  hol- 
low below,  winding  about  the  knolls — or  Sugar-loaves, 
as  they  are  called  here.  These  glacial  hills  are  worth- 
less barren  pastures  at  best,  seldom  ploughed  for  rye 
or  corn,  for  all  attempted  crops  of  grain  here  have 
proven  thin  and  dwarfed,  and  when  it  rains  gutters 
burrow  in  the  hillsides. 

As  I  descended  through  Patterson's  Meadows,  the 
air  was  musical  with  humming  bees  and  birds.  Moths 
and  butterflies  sailed  lazily  about  the  pools  below, 
hovering  about  the  first  blossoms  of  Fleur-de-lis.  Over 
the  rolling  fields  near,  the  tender  leaves  of  Indian-corn 
rustled  musically  in  the  breeze,  and  crows  were  still 
lingering  on  the  fence,  not  in  the  least  frightened  by 
the  snares  and  scarecrows  about  the  field.  I  found 
the  meadow  ablaze  with  late  Columbine  {Aquilegia 
Canadensis) ;  I  had  never  before  seen  fields  so  luxuriant 
with  the  blossoms  of  this  plant.  They  danced  among 
the  daisies,  and  outnumbered  the  grasses  in  their 
patches.  The  generic  name  Aquilegia,  or  Aquileia,  is 
said  in  our  manuals  to  be  derived  from  Aguila,  an 
eagle,  since  the  curves  of  the  hollow  spurs  of  these 
flowers  resemble  an  eagle's  talons.  But  in  this  case, 
the   name   should   read  Pes  Aquilegia.      Among   the 


S^wamp  of  Oracles  169 

ancient  herbals,  however,  there  is  no  record  of  this 
derivation.  Originally,  as  Dodoens  wrote  in  1578,  this 
plant  was  known  as  Aqiiileia.  Aquileia  was  also  the 
name  of  a  town  in  the  vicinity  of  ancient  Tro3^  The 
town  was  celebrated  in  history  for  its  desperate  resist- 
ance to  Attila,  King  of  the  Huns.  Assuming  that 
the  origin  of  the  name  is  vague,  and  observing  the 
customs  of  the  ancients  in  the  naming  of  plants,  it 
might  be  inferred  that  these  flowers  were  first  observed 
in  the  town  of  Aquileia,  or  were  named  in  honor  of  a 
king  or  herbalist  of  the  region.  This  was  the  case 
wath  the  Pceonia,  which  took  its  title  from  that  good 
old  man,  Dr.  Paeon  of  Pseonia,  in  Macedonia.  The 
origin  of  the  common  name  Columbine,  also,  has  occa- 
sioned of  late  much  discussion  in  the  popular  plant 
journals.'  One  author,  claiming  that  the  spurs  of 
these  flowers  resembled  a  dove's-foot,  said  that  the 
name  should  read  ''Pes  Columbinus'"  —pes  meaning 
foot,  and  columbinus  signifying  dove.  But  ''Pes  Co- 
bimbmum''  was  used  by  the  ancients  to  designate  an 
allied  group  of  Aquilegia,  a  species  of  wild  geranium, 
written  of  by  Linnaeus  in  1753  as  Gerayiuim  Columbi- 
num.  It  is  commonly  known  in  English  as  Dove's- 
foot  Geranium,  and  in  French  as  Pied  de pigeon. 

According  to  Gaza,  species  of  Aquilegia  were  sup- 
posed to  have  been  named  originally  by  Theophrastus 
— centuries  before  Christ — Pojithos  Theophrasti.  Theo- 
phrastus is  accepted  as  our  first  real  botanist  leaving 

'  The  Plant  World,  July,  1900 ;  February,  1901  ;  September, 
1902  ;  November,  1902. 


1 70        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

extant  records  of  plants.  The  name  Columbine  for 
these  species  appears  to  have  originated  in  England, 
or  in  the  Low  Countries.  Dodoens  described  them 
under  that  title  as  early  as  1578;  and  as  botany  was 
not  actually  revived  until  1530  and  1542,  we  may  ac- 
cept Dodoens  as  authoritative  on  the  common  names 
of  that  day.  He  writes  of  the  Columbine:  "The 
shape  and  proportion  of  the  leaves  of  the  floures  do 
seem  to  represent  the  figure  of  a  dove  or  culver, — these 
floures  produce  hollows  with  a  long-crooked  tayle  like 
a  L,ark's-claw  (and  bending  somewhat  toward  the  pro- 
portion of  the  necke  of  a  Culver)."  '  The  honeyed- 
spurs  of  Columbine,  therefore,  suggested  the  curve  of  a 
dove's-neck  rather  than  the  dove's-foot  or  the  eagle's- 
talons.  Another  author  is  reminded  of  a  "dove's-cote," 
as  he  looks  into  the  open  flower,  which  seems  to  him  a 
fitting  home  for  doves. 

Columbine-flowers  are  often  called  "  Honeysuckles  " 
by  children.  The  name  Honej^suckle,  however,  ap- 
plies to  the  Woodbines  which  Dodoens  describes  as 
growing  with  flowers  "in  tufts  like  nosegaies,  of  a 
pleasant  color,  and  long  and  hollow  almost  like  the  little 
bags  of  Columbine. ' '  The  Columbine  became  confused 
with  the  Honeysuckles  of  the  Woodbine  Family,  since 
Columbines  produce  "  Httle  bags  of  honey  "—which 
the  children  sucked  and  christened.  Furthermore 
there  is  a  resemblance  in  the  long  hollow  spurs  of  the 
Woodbine  flowers  to  those  of  Columbine  blossoms. 

'Dr.  Rembert  Dodoens,  History  of  Plants,  Lyte's  Trans.,  ist 
ed.,  p.  119.     1578. 


Swamp  of  Oracles  i?^ 

The  Columbines  belong  to  the  Crowfoot  Family 
{RanuncidacecB^,  and  are  closely  allied  with  sister 
genera,  including  Clematis,  Anemone,  Hepatica, 
Meadow  Rue,  False  Bugbane,  Buttercup,  Marsh  Mari- 
gold, Goldthread,  I^arkspur,  Aconite,  and  Monks- 
hood. These  species  produce  plants  with  cut  leaves, 
as  it  were,  resembling  feet,  claws,  or  talons  of  various 
birds,  animals,  and  fishes. 

Continuing  my  journey,  I  crossed  the  edges  of  Rab- 
bit Plain,  observing  the  low  blue  huckleberry  bushes, 
laden  with  green  fruit,  and  the  flaming  flowers  of  the 
deep  pink  azaleas.  Through  the  bushes  peered  the 
white  schoolhouse  of  District  Fourteen.  I  wandered 
along  the  border  of  the  wood  just  out  of  sight  of  the 
curious  gaze  of  the  children.  A  cow-path  led  wind- 
ingly  along  the  shades  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Near 
the  bars  above  the  Swamp  of  Oracles,  I  found  a  spike 
of  the  Small  Round-I^eaved  Orchis  {Habenaria  Hooker- 
iand)  in  bud.  I  blazed  a  tree  above  it,  marking  the 
spot  for  another  day  when  the  flowers  should  be  in 
blossom.  Crossing  the  East  Pownal  road,  I  turned 
into  a  hollow  to  the  west,  following  along  over  decay- 
ing logs  and  pine  brush-heaps.  The  ground  sent  up  a 
rich  pitch-like  perfume  as  the  sun  poured  down  upon 
the  mossy  sod.  Wild  lilies  were  abundant  here,  pro- 
ducing the  largest  leaves  I  ever  saw.  Solomon's  Seal, 
arbutus,  and  wintergreen  leaves  {Gaiiltherid)  were 
creeping  everywhere  near  the  edges  of  the  deeper 
wood.  Within  tlia  denser  shades,  growing  among 
pine    logs    and  heaps   of  leaves,   I    found    the   Great 


172        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

Round- Leaved  Orchis,  so  seldom  found  in  the  lower 
vales.  It  proved  to  be  a  seedling,  too  young  to  bloom. 
The  leaves  were  like  large  saucers,  and  of  a  beautiful 
silvery  green  underneath.  The  plant  is  always  sug- 
gestive of  the  luxuriant  tropics.  I  marked  the  corner, 
and  shielded  it  from  any  chance  vandal  eye  with  a 
broken  branch  of  black  birch. 

The  slopes  leading  to  Cold  Spring,  in  the  hollow  be- 
low, were  abrupt,  and  I  was  forced  to  slide  most  of  the 
distance,  clinging  to  the  bushes.  I  came  out  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill  in  the  midst  of  a  colony  of  Sweet  Canada 
Violets  (  Viola  Canadeyisis)  in  full  bloom.  They  grew 
along  the  borders  of  a  little  brook  flowing  through  a 
dense  thicket  of  soft  maple  and  black  birches.  I  had 
never  before  found  this  species  in  flower  here.  It 
seemed  to  have  flown  down  from  the  heights  of  the 
Dome,  to  grace  this  swamp.  Belated  purple  birthroot 
and  its  sister,  the  painted  trillium,  were  still  nodding 
here.  There  were  also  a  few  pale-faced  priests-in-the- 
pulpit,  unlike  the  larger  coarse  purple  ones  found  in 
Bronx  Valley.  These  Indian  Turnips  are  not  abundant 
here  as  in  the  swamps  and  hills  of  Mosholu.  The  wild 
leek  of  genus  Allium  seeks  the  higher  mountainsides. 

I  followed  the  Canadensis  Brook  to  the  edge  of  the 
Swamp  of  Oracles,  crossing  Ball  Brook  at  the  junction 
of  these  streams.  I  penetrated  where  the  rarer  orchids 
dwell,  and  where  few  children  dare  to  travel.  I  was 
still  too  early  for  the  Showy  Queen  Moccasin-Flower, 
but  on  time  for  the  large  and  the  small  golden  slippers, 
as  well  as  the  Pink  Acaule — that  humble  two-leaved 


Swamp  of  Oracles  173 

Cj'pripedium  which,  as  a  rule,  only  seeks  the  dryer 
edges  of  the  swamps.  The  Large  Yellow  Moccasin- 
Flowers  were  beginning  to  fade  and  turn  brown.  The 
swamp  was  luxuriant  in  its  growth  of  ferns  and  vines 
and  foliage.  Dogwood  trees  are  very  scarce  here,  but 
the  azaleas,  mountain  laurel,  or  calico-bush,  and  the 
lambkill  flowers  make  up  for  the  missing  snowy 
blossoms. 

In  the  heart  of  the  swamp  I  was  attracted  by  an  up- 
rooted tree,  about  whose  stump  stagnant  water  had 
settled,  now  reflecting  the  shadows  and  sunshine  as  a 
miniature  lake.  Several  baby  deer-mice  were  in  the 
pool.  Many  were  dead,  and  the  live  ones  were  swim- 
ming about  in  desperation.  I  counted  six  or  seven  in 
all.  I  fished  them  out,  and  placed  them  on  the  sun- 
dried  moss,  which  covered  the  roots  of  the  turnover, 
forming  little  islands  in  the  lake.  But  these  white- 
faced,  pink-eyed  little  creatures  were  no  safer  after  my 
rescue  than  before  ;  for  soon,  in  their  nervous  fright, 
they  crawled  off  the  mossy  islands,  and  were  still  swim- 
ming when — not  wishing  to  witness  the  end — I  went 
away.  It  was  one  of  the  many  mid-forest  tragedies 
which  Nature  seems  to  plan  with  so  little  philosophy, 
and  which  I  knew  I  could  not  prevent.  Had  I  re- 
moved them  from  the  water  again  and  placed  them  at 
a  distance  from  the  mud-hole  over  which  they  were 
born,  certain  starvation  would  have  awaited  them.  In 
the  topmost  parts  of  the  overturned  stump,  amid  the 
roots  and  peat,  a  pile  of  forest  leaves  was  rudely 
huddled,    forming   the    deer-mouse    mansion,    hidden 


1 74        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

from  the  crawling  turtles  and  creeping  snakes,  as  well 
as  from  the  hawks  and  owls  in  the  trees  above.  There 
are  many  natural  causes  of  destruction  for  such  animals 
in  the  woods.  Usually  I  have  found  the  deer-mouse's 
nest  in  low  thorn-apple  bushes,  at  least  six  feet  above 
the  ground,  but  always  near  the  borders  of  streams. 
Such  nests  at  first  remind  one  of  a  last  year's  bird-nest 
filled  with  drifted  autumn  leaves,  until  the  little  wild- 
wood  albinos  are  discovered. 

With  my  vasculum  packed  full  of  perfect  blossoms,  I 
started  homeward,  following  the  Pownal  Centre  road 
westward,  in  order  to  have  a  look  at  the  Ram's-Head 
Cypripedium.  On  the  edge  of  the  marsh,  as  usual  I 
found  the  two  hundred  unfolding  buds  of  the  Pink 
Moccasins  {Cypripedium  acaule). 

Near  the  Amidou  Meadows,  I  startled  up  two  mother 
partridges  and  their  broods — the  Ruffled  Grouse  {Bo- 
nasa  umbellus),  so  prolific  in  these  woods.  The  old 
hens,  fluttering  and  sputtering,  limped  away  with  their 
wings  drooping,  and  continued  to  warn  their  chickens 
to  hide.  The  little  speckled  fellows  were  soon  lost 
sight  of  beneath  the  dead  leaves  at  my  feet.  They 
ceased  to  peep,  and  being  of  the  colors  of  the  leaves,  I 
hardly  dared  to  advance  for  fear  of  stepping  upon 
them.  I  sat  down  upon  a  stone  by  a  tree,  and  waited 
for  the  return  of  the  wild  hens.  Before  long,  I  heard  a 
rustling  of  leaves  in  the  distance,  and  a  clucking  and 
calling  as  of  a  tame  hen  summoning  her  chickens  to 
feed  upon  a  worm.  The  little  brown  balls  began — one, 
three,  then  a  dozen,  all  at  once  to  take  their  heads 


S'wamp  of  Oracles  175 

from  under  the  leaves,  and  they  ran  like  streaks  of 
lightning.  The  mother  partridge  came  so  near,  un- 
awares, that  I  saw  the  color  of  her  eyes.  Finally,  dis- 
covering me,  she  in  terror  signalled  again,  much  as  the 
tame  hen  does  in  real  or  fancied  danger.  The  little 
grouse  hid  again,  some  of  them  putting  their  heads 
under  leaves,  while  the  body  was  wholly  exposed. 

On  June  8th  I  visited  Rattlesnake  Swamp.  Pink 
Moccasin-Flowers  and  late  blossoms  of  Painted  Tril- 
lium were  abundant  under  the  hemlocks  along  the 
slopes  of  the  Domelet. 

On  June  loth  I  heard  of  a  colony  of  albinos  or  white 
CypripediiLvi  acaule  reported  on  the  Rabbit  Plain  north 
of  the  Swamp  of  Oracles.  In  searching  unsuccessfully 
for  it,  I  frightened  up  an  old  mother  whippoorwill. 
She  feigned  broken  wings,  attempting  to  distract  my 
attention  from  her  two  unprotected  yellow  eggs  upon 
the  leaves  at  my  feet.  Both  partridges  and  whippoor- 
wills  remain  on  their  nests  until  almost  stepped  upon, 
as  a  rule,  believing  that  they  are  concealed  because  of 
their  dead-leaf  ground-coloring.  The  old  whippoor- 
will perched  on  some  distant  pine  logs,  and  moaned 
piteously  while  I  looked  at  her  eggs.  Her  great  round, 
sad  eyes  distressed  me,  while  she  gave  forth  a  sighing 
sound.  I  broke  down  a  small  tree  over  the  nest  and 
near  the  path  as  I  left,  hung  my  linen  collar  on  a  tree, 
marking  the  line  of  entrance  for  another  day. 

Four  days  later  I  returned,  and  found  two  little 
round  balls  of  yellow  down,  just  out  of  their  shells 
which  were   lying   near.     Creeping   up  softly  within 


1 76        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

touch  of  the  mother,  I  had  a  chance  of  observing  her 
carefully.  She  had  no  shelter  or  protection  but  a  leaf 
of  the  False  I^ily-of- the- Valley  {Unifolhim  Canadense) 
which  covered  her  eyes  and  part  of  her  head.  She 
never  stirred  a  feather  nor  blinked  either  of  her  round 
brown  eyes.  Close  to  the  earth  like  the  leaves  them- 
selves, pressed  down  with  winter  snows,  it  was  difficult 
to  distinguish  her  feathers  from  them.  I  finally  fright- 
ened her  from  the  spot.  The  poor  little  birds  heard 
their  mother's  cry  of  alarm,  and,  babes  as  they  were, 
instinctively  understood  it  all,  opening  their  dreamy 
sad  eyes,  and  trying  to  hide  away.  Nest  they  had 
none,  and  rolled  about  over  the  leaves.  I  visited  these 
birdlings  so  often,  in  my  eagerness  to  make  observa- 
tions, that  the  mother  finally  left  her  young.  One 
cold  night,  finding  them  almost  freezing  and  starving, 
I  took  them  home.  They  did  not  live  more  than  a 
week,  however,  on  account  of  my  ignorance  as  to  what 
food  to  give  them.  During  this  time  they  became  very 
tame  and  dependent  upon  my  care,  rejoicing  strangely 
when  I  came  near. 

The  Southern  Chuck- Will' s-Widow,  a  species  closely 
allied  to  our  Whippoorwill,  builds  no  nest,  but  is  said 
to  move  her  eggs  and  young,  in  her  large  mouth,  from 
place  to  place,  wherever  she  may  choose  to  abide.  It 
would  be  well  if  Nature  had  thus  taught  our  Northern 
Whippoorwills. 

I  continued  to  visit  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  collect- 
ing azalea,  iris,  and  the  other  flowers  in  their  turn. 
In  circling  the  Pownal  Pond  one  day,  I  ran  upon  a 


Swamp  of  Oracles  177 

Water  Thrush  {Selurus  noveboracensis)  and  her  brood 
of  five  little  foolish,  half-grown  thrushlings.  The 
awkward  birds  ran  peeping  across  my  path,  not  in  the 
least  afraid.  I  caught  them  all,  and  placed  three  in  my 
hat,  leaving  two  for  consolation  to  the  mother,  while  I 
hurried  home  to  obtain  a  photograph  of  my  prizes. 
But  I  was  not  able  to  reconcile  them  to  their  new  con- 
ditions and  food  so  easily  as  I  had  domesticated  my 
whippoorwills.  As  soon  as  I  had  secured  a  negative, 
I  returned  them,  nearly  famished,  to  the  mother,  who 
was  running  along  the  shore  of  the  pond,  tipping-up  her 
tail  like  the  wagtail.  These  birds  are  swift  in  flight, 
skimming  near  the  water,  whistling  as  it  were,  while 
they  catch  insects.  Their  nest  is  very  difficult  to  find, 
being  as  a  rule  among  the  roots  of  trees  along  the 
shores  of  ponds  or  streams  in  damp  woods.  I  fre- 
quently observe  these  birds  walking  in  the  stony 
brook  flowing  down  from  Cold  Spring  in  Chalk  Pond 
region,  as  well  as  about  the  shores  of  Aurora's  Lake 
in  North  Adams. 

The  hillside  clearings  in  this  region  are  the  haunts 
o{\ioodiQ\\\xQk^s,  {Ardomys  moriax).  Many  holes  show 
where  they  have  burrowed.  Usually  these  ground- 
pigs  seek  for  their  habitations  clover  and  bean  fields, 
which  furnish  them  provender.  Exploring  the  door- 
yard  of  the  woodchuck,  I  found  several  plants  of  the 
Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis  maturing  their  seed-cap- 
sules. Not  every  wild  pig's  garden  bears  this  evidence 
of  sestheticism. 

The    fertilization    of  these   strange   Round-Leaved 


1 78        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

Habenarias  is  unique.  The  anther  is  eager  to  give  up 
its  pollinia.  The  adhesive  masses  shot  from  their  cells 
when  I  touched  them,  and  fastened  to  the  head  of  my 
hat-pin.  When  placed  near  the  viscid  surface  of  the 
stigma,  they  were  drawn  forcefully  from  it,  thus  im- 
pregnating the  ovules  in  the  ovary.  These  masses  of 
pollinia,  once  glued  upon  the  thigh  of  an  insect,  would 
remain  there  until  deposited  on  the  attractive  stigma 
of  their  proper  species. 

On  my  next  excursion  to  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog,  I 
found  nothing  new,  save  six  spikes  of  the  Small  Purple- 
Fringed  Orchis  in  bud.  I  was  too  early  for  Pogonias 
and  lyimodorums,  which  are  fast  disappearing  from 
this  swamp.  The  colony  of  Fragrant  Yellow  Moccasin- 
Flowers,  in  the  Glen  of  Comus,  was  photographed  one 
morning  while  the  sunshine  struggled  in  through  the 
leaves,  lighting  up  the  flowers  in  this  labyrinth  of 
tropical  foliage.  They  were  fragrant  in  the  highest 
degree — a  true  form  of  Cypripedium  parviflorum^  with 
a  slight  variegated  effect  of  carmine  coloring  on  the 
tips  of  the  slippers.  This  is  the  first  instance  of  such 
spots  of  crimson  on  the  exterior  observed  by  me.  Near 
this  group  stands  also  a  larger  colony  of  Cypripedium 
hirsutum  seedling  plants.  Several  had  bloomed  this 
season.  One  slipper  had  been  destroyed  by  what  ap- 
peared to  be  a  snail.  Nothing  of  the  flower  remained 
but  the  column,  with  the  adhering  anthers  and  stig- 
matic  lobes.  The  sepals  and  petals,  including  the 
labellum,  were  eaten  away.  The  snail  was  still  cling- 
ing to  the  column,  and  must  have  found  some  delicate 


A  Colony  ot  the  Small  Yellow  Fragrant  Moccasin-Flower  {C\pripi.-diui)i  pant;L'r 

in  the  Glen  of  Comus,  District  Fourteen,  Pownal,  Vermont 

"  Tlwre  's  12  haunt  I  would  lead  you  to. 

Home  of  the  gossamer  and  titc  dew. 

WItere,  from  out  of  tlie  murky  loam. 

Springs  tlie  sacred  flower  of  tlw  gnomr." 

Clisto.v  Scollaru 


S"wainp  of  Oracles  179 

food  in  the  juices  of  such  golden  petals  to  cause  him 
to  tear  the  flower  apart.  He  may,  however,  have  fer- 
tilized the  species  in  the  act ;  yet  the  destruction  of  its 
parts  would  have  weakened  the  possible  chances  of  the 
seed-capsule  maturing  properly. 

In  the  bend  of  Ball  Brook,  amid  the  ferns,  the  Tall 
Northern  Green  Orchis  {Habe?iaria  hyperbored)  blooms, 
its  seeds  having  floated  down  here  from  the  seed-cap- 
sules ripening  on  plants  bordering  the  stream  above. 

Wild  Ginger  -  Root  {Asarum  Canadensc)  grows 
abundantly  along  the  sphagnous  edges  of  the  Swamp 
of  Oracles.  This  plant  produces  bell-shaped  blossoms, 
which  invariably  turn  downward,  hiding  in  the  soft 
soil  beneath  the  leaves.  Its  creeping  roots  are  of  a 
spicy,  ginger-like  flavor.  The  leaves — kidney-shaped 
— appear  as  small  burdocks  at  a  distance.  The  generic 
name  is  verj^  obscure,  although  the  plant  was  known 
to  the  early  Greeks,  and  later  known  in  lyatin  as  Asa- 
nun,  Nardus  rustica,  and  Perpensa.  Macer  called  it 
Vulgago,  while  it  was  known  in  England  and  Germany 
in  1578  as  Asarabacca,  Folefoot,  and  Hazlewort.  It  was 
used  by  the  ancients  as  an  antidote  for  venomous  ser- 
pent bites,  sciatica,  difficult  respiration,  and  various 
other  diseases. 

On  June  15th  I  made  my  farewell  journey  to  Etcho- 
wog.  Turning  into  the  thicket,  east  of  the  Barber 
Mill,  I  followed  a  path  as  far  as  possible,  and  then 
waded  through  sphagnum  into  a  meadow-like  clearing 
of  three  acres  or  more,  concealed  in  the  deepest  of  soli- 
tude.    It  was  closed   in    on   all  sides  by  low  alders, 


i8o        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

willows,  and  beautiful  green  spires  of  tamarack-trees. 
The  sphagnum  was  many  feet  deep,  spangled  with 
flowers;  and  rising  above  the  swamp  grasses  were  iris 
blades  and  buckbean  leaves.  It  was  a  little  world 
whose  limitations  were  the  infinite  blues  above,  the 
depths  of  moss  below,  and  the  circling  green-fringed 
forest  trees.  The  sunshine  knew  the  field,  and  poured 
in  upon  it.  I  was  obliged  to  wade  slowly  over  the 
quaking  sphagnum,  assisted  by  pine-slabs,  strewn  about 
as  stepping  blocks. 

The  oblong  green  leaves  of  the  rare  Buckbeans  (^Men- 
yanthes  trifoliatd) — found  also  in  the  Cranberry  Bogs, 
north  of  Pownal  Pond — were  here  thickly  entangled 
over  the  greater  area  of  the  meadow.  A  few  spikes 
still  were  in  blossom,  although  the  greater  portion 
were  adorned  with  the  bullet-like  glossy,  smooth  seed- 
pods.  Later  in  the  season  they  would  slowly  ripen, 
and  throw  thousands  of  seeds  broadcast  over  the 
sphagnous  field.  It  is  evident  that  this  plant — so  in- 
frequent in  its  general  distribution — is  most  productive 
of  its  own  seeds  in  its  chosen  haunts.  This  species  is 
a  sister  genus  of  the  Blue-Fringed  Gentians,  abundant 
along  the  edges  of  these  bogs  during  October.  Gen- 
tians derived  their  generic  name  from  King  Gentius  of 
Illyria,  who  first  used  them  in  medicine. 

The  Floating- Heart  {Limnanthemum  lacunosunt), 
closely  allied  to  the  Buckbeans,  grows  also  in  our 
marshy  pools,  the  leaves  being  heart-shaped,  instead 
of  oblong  as  those  of  Menyanthes. 

In  the  middle  of  this  swamp  an  island  arose,  over 


S'wamp  of  Oracles  i8i 

which  grew  willow  bushes  aud  tamarack  spires,  inter- 
spersed by  grape-vines.  I  crawled  through  the  bushes 
without  finding  a  flower  worthy  of  description.  Sur- 
rounding the  edges  of  this  island,  tall  spikes  of  the 
Fragrant  Northern  Orchis  {Habenaria  dilatatd)  rose 
above  the  water-soaked  sphagnum.  I  was  able  to 
reach  a  few  of  them,  then  sought  the  terra  fi^-jna  of  the 
tangled  swamp  beyond.  I  ran  great  risk,  since  I  was 
forced  to  wade  the  soaking  bogs  where  the  cat-tail  flags 
were  dense.  I  managed  to  jump  from  hummock  to 
hummock,  not  waiting  for  the  grass  to  grow  beneath 
my  feet.  Beyond  I  struggled  through  the  low  tangled 
trees  covered  with  the  Wild  Frost  Grape- Vines  or  Pos- 
sum-Grape (  Viiis  cordifolia),  amid  tamaracks,  swamp- 
maples,  poison-sumach  and  ivy-vines.  I  observed  many 
enormous  colonies  of  Pitcher  Plants,  still  in  bloom  in 
the  shades.  Finally  I  reached  the  muddy  bank  of  Ball 
Brook,  ragged,  dirty,  and  tired.  I  found  the  stream 
impassable  because  of  the  mud.  Even  old  Major  had 
sense  enough  not  to  go  too  near  the  stream.  I  was 
forced  to  make  my  way,  as  well  as  possible,  back  to 
the  mill,  among  piles  of  old  tinware  that  had  been  ac- 
cumulating since  the  early  Revolutionary  days  of  1777. 
Once  out  of  this  place,  it  was  a  pleasure  to  enter 
the  open  Pitcher  Plant  Meadow,  where  I  searched  for 
Pogonias  and  Limodorums  without  success.  I  circled 
about  the  swamp  and  turned  away  from  it  at  the  north, 
climbing  over  the  hill  above  the  Washon  Bridge,  to- 
ward Cranberry  Swamp.  Blue  jays  were  screaming 
loudly,  and  catbirds  were  mewing  in  the  bushes  near 


i82        Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

the  pools.  I  found  the  path  near  the  pond,  which  led 
through  luxuriant  ferns  to  the  shades  of  pines  beyond. 
Here  the  ground  was  carpeted  with  fragrant  needles 
and  cones.  Bullfrogs  croaked  hoarsely  in  the  swamp 
beneath  the  lily-pads,  and  over  the  hillside  crept  yards 
of  the  evergreens  known  as  Ground-Pine  (^Lycopoditim 
obscurum)  and  Club-Moss  {Lycopodhun  Selago),  known 
to  the  Greeks  as  Wolf's-Claw.  This  moss  takes  hold 
of  the  earth  with  its  small  roots,  like  the  claws  of  a 
wolf. 

This  corner  of  Etchowog  was  the  home  of  the  mos- 
quito, and  I  was  obliged  to  use  a  bough  of  sweet-fern 
to  keep  the  pests  from  devouring  me. 

"  Fair  insect !  that,  with  threadlike  legs  spread  out. 
And  blood-extracting  bill,  and  filmy  wing, 
Does  murmur,  as  thou  slowly  sail'st  about. 

Thou  'rt  welcome  to  the  town — but  why  come  here  ?  " ' 
'  Bryant,  To  a  Mosquito. 


XV 

WHite  OaKs  and  Gregor  IVocKs 

I  can  recall  to  mind  the  stillest  summer  hours,  in  which 
the  grasshopper  sings  over  the  mulleins,  and  there  is  a  valor  in 
that  time  the  bare  memory  of  which  is  armor  that  can  laugh  at 
any  blow  of  fortune.— ThorEau,  Week  on  the  Concord  and 
Merrimack  Rivers. 

I  HAD  been  on  the  trail  for  white  Moccasin-Flowers 
for  years;  and  on  June  i6th  a  lad  of  White  Oaks 
Valley  promised  to  guide  me  to  the  Forks  of 
Broad  Brook,  and  show  me  a  colony  of  absolutely 
White  Lady's  Slippers.  We  arrived  at  the  junction  of 
the  Field  Brook — where  it  crosses  the  White  Oaks  Road 
near  Richmond's  Farm — and  turned  our  horse's  head 
through  the  fields  eastward  along  the  rude  loggers'  path 
travelled  in  winter.  We  were  obliged  to  cross  fields  of 
oats  and  potato  vines  in  order  to  arrive  on  the  summit 
of  these  rounded  hills.  Here,  amid  the  white  birches 
and  sweet-fern  bushes,  we  fastened  our  horse.  Among 
these  ferns  and  briars  I  discovered  five  enormous 
orange-yellow  mushrooms,  which,  apparently,  were  of 
recent  growth.  They  were  gorgeous  to  behold,  and 
smelled  like  new-made  bread,  yet  they  were  extremely 
poisonous.  They  were,  upon  examination,  found  to 
spring  from  a  socket,  above  which  a  ring  encircled  the 
183 


184        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

stalk.  This  is  characteristic  of  genus  Amanita  of  this 
form  of  fungus.  This  poisonous  species  with  some  sus- 
ceptible people  produces  serious  results  if  only  handled, 
or  if  its  fragrance  is  inhaled.  I  collected  three  speci- 
mens, however,  and  put  them  in  my  vasculum. 

We  now  descended  the  slopes  eastward  leading  to 
the  Wilsey  lyOt,  where  we  found  a  road  leading  up 
through  Broad  Brook  Valley  to  the  Forks.  The  path 
was  bordered  with  tall,  luxuriant  brakes  at  least  four 
feet  high.  They  were  covered  with  dew,  and  brushing 
against  them,  we  became  wet  through.  My  guide  was 
an  alert  observer,  and  darting  off  here  and  there  into 
the  ravine,  he  brought  forth  gay  blossoms  of  the  Showy 
Queen  of  the  Moccasin-Flowers.  As  we  proceeded, 
we  came  to  a  bend  of  the  brook  and  followed  along 
high  ledges  of  rock,  where  we  crossed  to  the  right  over 
the  boulder-filled  stream.  A  quarter  of  a  mile  more 
brought  us  to  another  bend  in  the  brook,  and  here  we 
re-crossed,  and  at  the  left  hand  abruptly  climbed  the 
hillside  in  the  sphagnous  bed  of  a  rivulet.  Here,  my 
guide  said,  were  the  Pure  White  Moccasin-Flowers. 
They  proved  to  be  pale  pink  blossoms  of  the  Showy 
Reginae,  however,  and  not,  as  I  had  hoped,  the  rarer 
Cypripedhan  candidum,  or  even  the  albinos  of  Cypri- 
pediuni  regince. 

It  is  said  that  in  a  swamp  near  the  Forks  both  of 
the  Yellow  Moccasin-Flowers  bloom.  American  Moun- 
tain Laurel,  the  beautiful  Calico-bush,  was  in  full  bloom 
hereabout,  so  the  day  was  not  without  some  new  treas- 
ure found. 


The  Mountain  Laurel.      iK^'linia  latijoHa.) 
"  And  all  the  rugged  mountainside 
Thro'  billowy  curves  is  seen: 
The  roadsides  meet  in  ample  shade. 

With  showers  of  light  and  golden  glooms. 
And  bubbling  up  the  rocky  ways 
TIk  clustered  laurel  blooms." 

Elaine  Goodale. 


White  OaKs  185 

The  wildness  of  Broad  Brook  Valley  is  delightful. 
The  stream  rises  in  luxuriant  swamps  on  the  eastern 
summit  of  the  Dome,  between  Stamford  and  Haystack 
Mountains.  The  Forks  along  the  stream  are  formed 
by  this  one  and  others  flowing  down  from  Mount 
Hazen,  which  lies  to  the  southeast  of  the  Dome.  The 
valley  is  comparatively  wide,  and  the  stream,  as  its 
name  implies,  is  broad.  The  chasm  bears  scars  of  days 
when  the  heights  to  the  northeast  were  capped  with 
glaciers,  towering  thousands  of  feet  above  the  present 
mutton-backed  summits,  which  were  formed  into  their 
dome-like  shapes  by  the  erosions  of  this  ice  sheet.  The 
channel  of  the  stream  is  full  of  tumbling  boulders,  and 
during  April,  when  the  snows  are  melting,  a  wilder 
brook  is  unknown  in  the  Hoosac  Valley.  Three 
seasons  it  has  become  so  rough  and  swollen  that  it 
has  carried  bridges  and  all  else  in  its  course  before  it, 
threatening  the  houses  and  little  chapel,  as  it  rushed 
downward  to  the  Hoosac. 

Bears  inhabit  these  dark  ravines,  and  wander  close 
to  the  habitation  of  man  in  the  Hollow.  Not  far  from 
where  we  collected  our  flowers,  a  bear  had  been  killed 
last  season  by  two  lads  fishing  in  the  stream.  As  I 
left  the  glen,  and  drove  out  over  the  moss-grown  hills, 
and  through  the  hollows,  I  found  the  ground  red  w^ith 
wild  strawberries.  Needless  to  say,  I  paused  until  I 
had  my  fill  of  this  luscious  fruit,  and  I  carried  a  birch- 
bark  cornucopia  of  it  away  with  me. 

On  June  iSth  I  visited  my  great  colony  of  Showy 
Reginoe  in  Rattlesnake  Swamp.     As  they  were  not  yet 


1 86        Bog'-Trottin^  for  Orchids 

unfolded  in  their  perfection  of  magenta  coloring,  I  put 
up  a  warning  on  a  tree  near  them  not  to  rob  the 
colony  until  photographed, —  fearing  some  fisherman 
would  behold  and  gather  the  blossoms.  However, 
they  were  photographed  successfull}''  on  the  20th. 

The  stumps  and  trees  in  this  corner  of  the  swamp 
are  covered  with  dead  boughs,  laden  with  lichens  and 
reindeer  moss.  A  kind  of  moss  known  as  Us7iea  hangs 
from  the  boughs  of  the  trees  above.  The  whole  region 
is  humid  and  luxuriant,  and  could  almost  deceive  one 
into  believing  that  he  was  in  the  jungles  of  the  South- 
lands, instead  of  among  the  glooms  of  the  Green 
Mountains.  The  beautiful  Butterfly-fungus  {Poly- 
pores)  is  especially  interesting  throughout  this  swamp, 
growing  on  dead  trees  and  logs.  Another  pretty 
species,  found  on  stumps  and  the  earth,  has  scarlet- 
tinted  cups,  nestling  in  early  spring  amid  the  mosses. 
The  trees  and  stones  display  both  their  gray  and 
foliaceous  lichens  everywhere  hereabout;  and  in  the 
fields,  the  smoking  puff-balls  burst  beneath  the  foot- 
steps. Foxes  Fire- Eyes  is  common  in  this  region.  It 
is  decaying  wood,  green  in  color,  said  to  be  full  of 
threads  of  phosphorescent  fungi.  During  the  night 
this  wood  gives  out  a  soft,  luminous  light,  which  if  it 
happens  to  come  from  a  large  stump,  often  frightens 
both  travellers  and  horses  along  our  woodland  roads. 

In  the  Swamp  of  Rattlesnake  Brook  may  be  found 
the  Pitch  or  Torch-Pine  {Pinus  rigida),  shad-bushes, 
white  and  black  birches,  chestnuts,  high  huckleberries, 
and  small  bushes  of  the  Ague  Tree  {Sassafras),  which 


White  OaKs  187 

seem  rare  here,  but  are  abmidant  in  southern  New 
York.  The  odd  spires  of  the  double  or  black  spruce 
are  also  found  among  the  denizens  of  this  region. 
From  May  until  late  November  the  swamp  brings  forth, 
in  their  season,  arbutus,  mountain  snowberry  vines, 
St.  John's  wort,  low  huckleberry,  the  evergreen  leaves 
of  Gaultheria,  prince's  pine,  creeping  evergreens,  nu- 
merous rushes  and  sedges.  Here,  too,  the  goldthread 
entangles  the  roots  of  mosses  and  trilliums,  while  the 
Sundew  {Drosera  rotiindi folia),  creeps  along  the  mossy 
sides  of  the  wood  road,  and  in  the  deeper  sphagnum 
about  the  stream.  The  rare  Large  Whorled  Pogonia 
(JPogonia  verticillatd) ,  of  the  Orchid  Family,  has  been 
collected  in  this  swamp  for  three  seasons.  This  orchid 
is  rare  in  New  England,  save  in  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut.  It  was  first  found  in  Vermont  near  High 
Bridge  and  Colchester  by  Messrs.  Robbins  and  Oakes, 
the  pioneer  botanists,  who  passed  through  the  State  in 
1829.  The  delicate  emerald  green  leaves  of  Clintonia, 
marsh  marigolds,  Solomon's  seal,  Shin-Iycaf  (JPyrola 
rotundifolid),  liverwort,  wild  briar-roses,  lambkill,  blue 
lobelias,  L,abrador  tea,  yellow  loosestrife,  blue-fringed 
gentians,  innumerable  ferns,  the  spikes  of  the  Tall- 
Green  Orchis,  plants  of  the  Round-IyCaved  Orchis,  the 
Pink  Moccasin-Flower,  and  rarely  the  beautiful  orchid, 
Arethusa  bidbosa — all  of  these  conspire  to  make  the 
region  a  wilderness  of  beauty. 

On  an  excursion  to  Thompson's  Brook,  June  19th, 
near  Meyers's  Sugar-Bush,  I  collected  ferns  and  iris. 
As  I  descended  to  the  hemlocks,  near  the  waterfalls,  I 


1 88        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

stumbled  upon  the  late  plants  of  the  Showy  Orchis 
{^Orchis  spedabilis),  in  bloom — which  were  fully  two 
weeks  past  the  regular  flowering  date.  They  had 
faded  in  the  hills  of  Mosholu  on  May  19th. 

I  had  heard  of  Wash-Tub  Brook  for  years,  and  on 
July  5th  started  off  to  explore  the  valley  and  the  cliffs 
of  Gregor  Rocks  above  North  Pownal.  A  limerock 
ridge  runs  from  the  base  of  Mount  Anthony  south- 
easterly to  the  Glebe  in  Witch  Hollow  region.  The 
soil  of  the  latter  is  principally  black  slate,  with  out- 
cropping boulders  of  marble  and  limerock.  In  1899, 
Mr.  W.  W.  Eggleston  of  Rutland  had  visited  this  val- 
ley, and  reported  the  rare  Rue- Wall  Spleenwort  and 
the  Purple-stemmed  Cliff-Brakes  growing  abundantly 
on  Gregor  Rocks.  I  followed  his  path  of  cliff-climbing, 
as  nearly  as  possible.  Now  that  the  orchid  season  was 
practically  ended,  I  was  giving  my  attention  to  hunt- 
ing ferns,  and  I  knew  I  should  find  them  among  the 
limerock  cliffs.  I  had  recently  collected  the  Walking 
Fern  in  its  native  haunts.  I  proceeded  up  the  valley 
of  Wash  -  Tub  Brook,  passing  the  limestone  mills 
northward,  toward  Mount  Anthony  and  Peckam's 
Hollow.  Another  stream,  known  as  Hemlock  Brook, 
flows  down  from  the  eastern  slopes  of  Perkins'  Hill, 
and  joins  the  Wash-Tub  stream  near  the  lime  crushers. 
All  the  streams  in  this  western  corner  of  Pownal  flow 
to  the  Hoosac  River,  while  the  streams  from  the 
northern  summits  of  the  Dome  and  Mount  CEta  flow 
northward  to  the  Walloomsac. 

For  the  greater  part  of  the  valley,  Wash-Tub  Brook 


Gre^or  RocKs  189 

flows  through  open  pasture  lands.  The  bed  is  broad 
and  shallow,  strewn  with  numerous  small  limerock 
boulders  drifted  down  from  the  hills  with  the  floods  of 
spring.  The  larger  boulders  wear  scars  and  dimpled 
erosions  of  the  glacial  period.  I  took  time  to  explore 
the  ledges  above,  where  the  depressions  reveal  the  ter- 
races of  an  ancient  lake.  The  prevailing  evergreen 
trees  here  appear  to  be  hemlock  and  cedar — the  Ameri- 
can Arbor  Vita: — whose  roots  cling  to  the  clifis,  their 
green  spires  lending  a  touch  of  coloring  to  the  bare- 
faced walls. 

I  saw  from  the  banks  here  the  distant  pot-hole  forma- 
tions in  the  brook,  from  which  the  stream  had  taken 
its  name.  As  I  approached  these  marble  basins,  I 
found  three  in  succession — one  above  the  other — follow- 
ing the  course  of  the  stream — a  narrow  passage  eroded 
through  crystalline  marble  and  limestone.  The  first 
or  lowermost  one  was  like  a  small  lakelet  overflowing 
its  brim.  The  second  one  was  a  typical  pot-hole,  re- 
volving its  stones  in  its  whirling  waters.  The  bowl 
was  about  six  feet  deep,  of  a  circular — or  rather  ellipti- 
cal form,  about  twenty-six  feet  in  circumference.  The 
stream  entered  through  the  middle  of  the  northern 
rim,  and  had  eroded  a  spout-like  gutter,  causing  the 
water  to  flow  in  a  rapid,  seething  manner  as  if  poured 
into  the  basin  below.  Here  the  greenish  water  boiled 
and  whirled,  finally  with  an  added  force  leaping  forth 
through  a  deep  spout  over  the  lower  rim  of  the  pot, 
carrying  with  it  small  stones  and  marble  dust — the 
lower  rim  thus  being  worn  away.    As  the  bowl  becomes 


I  go        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

deeper,  layers  of  rock  will  be  cracked  and  broken,  until 
finally  the  pot-hole  formation  will  be  destroyed.  The 
upper  or  third  basin  is  located  in  the  harder  portion  of 
the  lime  and  marble  bed-rock,  portions  of  the  marble 
being  highly  polished.  The  marble  brook-bed  glittered 
in  the  noonday  sunshine.  Pot-holes  are  formed  origin- 
ally by  a  boulder,  which — carried  in  the  currents  of  a 
stream — lodges  in  a  depression  of  the  bed-rock.  It 
bores  gradually  into  its  resting  place,  until,  in  the 
course  of  ages,  it  has  worn  the  walls  of  its  basin  into  a 
deep  hollow,  at  the  same  time  wearing  itself  away,  at 
last  being  carried  off  as  a  pebble.  It  may  be  that  these 
holes  are  sometimes  formed  in  a  slightly  different  way. 
Dimples  and  fissures  often  occur  in  rocks,  and  if  the 
water  and  pebbles  circle  about  these  cracks  they  prob- 
ably eat  down  through  the  soft  layers  of  rock,  and  thus 
loosen  a  revolving  stone  from  the  bed-rock  itself.  It 
would  then  fit  the  pot-hole  closely  for  ages,  revolving 
as  the  currents  become  forceful  in  freshets.  The  pot- 
holes along  the  granite  ridges  in  Bronx  Park,  New 
York  City,  as  well  as  on  the  Canaan  Hills — nearly  one 
thousand  feet  above  the  Merrimac  and  Connecticut 
river-beds,— reveal  the  erstwhile  revolving  stones  now 
motionless  in  their  basins. 

After  remaining  in  the  region  of  the  Wash-Tubs  an 
hour  or  more,  I  followed  down  the  lateral  moraine  or 
wooded  ridge  along  the  stream,  which  became  rocky  in 
the  heart  of  the  hemlocks.  Upon  a  broad  table-like 
rock,  I  found  a  large  mat  of  Walking  Ferns.  It  ap- 
peared about  four  feet  square,  and  contained  the  mOsSt 


Gre^or  RocKs  191 

luxuriant  plants  I  have  ever  seen  or  expect  to  see.  I 
placed  several  in  my  vasculum,  and  descended  to  the 
stream,  hastening  on  toward  the  village.  Here  I  met 
an  old  gray-haired  man — the  inn-keeper  for  the  mill 
laborers.  He  recognized  my  botanizing  outfit,  and 
remarked  that  Mr.  Eggleston  had  passed  through  the 
town  in  1899.  He  directed  me  to  the  Gregor  Rocks, 
above  the  village,  and  thus  I  found  the  path  winding 
around  the  northern  brow  of  these  limerock  cliffs. 

Crossing  the  Pownal  Centre  road,  I  entered  the 
pasture  east  of  the  village  church,  and  wound  up  the 
cliffs  above  the  limekiln  quarry.  Here,  striking  in 
among  the  cedar  trees  and  ragged  bluffs,  I  pulled  my- 
self up  under  the  trees  and  rocks.  Resting  for  a 
moment,  I  beheld  a  fern  which  proved  to  be  the  Purple- 
stemmed  Cliff-Brake  {^Pellcsa  atroptirpured).  Much 
elated  by  my  discovery,  I  fell  to  wondering  what  the 
little  Wall-Rue  Spleenwort  {Aspleriium  Ruta-muraria) 
could  look  like.  I  had  studied  the  plates  of  these  rare 
ferns,  but  had  not  known  them  face  to  face,  I  soon 
came  to  an  enormous  limerock  boulder  on  the  summit 
of  Gregor  Rocks,  and  here  I  found  the  rare  ferns  for 
which  I  searched.  From  the  crevices  both  the  tender 
green  tufts  of  the  Wall- Rue  Spleenwort  and  the  wiry 
purple  stems  of  the  CHff- Brake  grew  luxuriantly,  drap- 
ing the  fissured  sides  of  the  boulder.  Climbing  to  the 
top  of  the  boulder,  I  saw  beyond  my  reach  a  tuft  of 
Walking  Fern.  This  proved  to  me  that  this  plant 
throve  on  the  dry  est  of  limerocks  in  the  full  glare  of 
the  sun,  as  well  as  in  damp  sheltered  places.     None  of 


ig2        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

these  species  look  like  the  ferns  that  are  ordinarily 
known,  and  unless  one  turns  the  leaves  over  and  ob- 
serves the  son  or  fruit  dots,  he  would  never  guess  to 
what  family  they  belonged,  so  different  are  the)^  in 
appearance  from  their  brothers  of  the  boglands  and 
hillside  pastures. 

The  rocks  about  were  covered  with  tufts  of  the  deli- 
cate Wall-Rue,  and  great  tangles  of  the  Cliff-Brake, 
growing  from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches  tall.  The  last 
year's  growth  was  still  brown  and  rusty  amid  the  fresh 
green  fronds  of  this  season.  Hardy  indeed  were  these 
ferns,  growing  in  such  a  dry,  exposed  place. 

Later  in  the  month  I  made  another  trip  to  secure 
some  ferns  for  photographing.  It  was  Sunday,  and 
the  church  bells  were  ringing  at  North  Corners  as  I 
drove  into  the  valley,  and  hitched  my  horse  opposite 
the  village  inn.  As  I  went  my  way  toward  the  haunts 
of  the  ferns,  I  soon  discovered  that  I  was  not  making 
my  ascent  to  the  cliffs  alone.  A  gray-haired  woman, 
with  basket  on  her  arm,  overtook  me.  She  seemed  to 
be  gathering  the  bluebells  along  the  ledges.  We  began 
to  converse,  and  when  we  came  to  some  ripe  straw- 
berries, we  ate  in  a  social  way  the  fruits  we  found  by 
the  path.  She  told  me  she  was  gathering  bluebells  to 
decorate  the  chancel  of  the  church,  as  it  was  Children's 
Day. 

On  the  brow  of  Gregor  Rocks  I  asked  my  companion 
if  the  legend  were  true,  of  which  Hawthorne  writes,  in 
1838,  during  his  stay  in  the  valley  at  North  Adams: 
**  A  mad  girl  leaped   from  the  top  of  a  tremendous 


Gre^or  RocKs  193 

precipice  in  Pownall,  hundreds  of  feet  high,  and,  if  the 
tale  be  true,  being  buoyed  up  by  her  clothes,  came 
safely  to  the  bottom."  '  She  told  me  the  name  of  the 
girl  who  had  made  the  leap.  She  was  a  half-witted 
creature  who,  descending  the  cliffs  at  twilight  with  a 
package  of  wool  rolls,  thought  to  save  time  by  throwing 
her  burden  ahead  of  her  and  leaping  from  the  rocks. 
Her  homespun  garments  caught  and  held  her  in  the 
cedars  below,  until  the  villagers  heard  her  screams  and 
rescued  her.  The  rocks  are  called  "  Weeping  Rocks  " 
—  for  what  reason  it  is  not  quite  clear,  unless  through 
some  exaggeration  of  this  story. 

I  collected  some  perfect  ferns,  and  told  my  companion 
their  names.  She  glowed  with  interest,  and  told  me 
she  had  never  been  to  these  cliffs  since  she  was  a  child, 
until  now.  She  said  if  she  had  her  life  to  live  again, 
she  would  have  devoted  more  time  to  exploring  these 
rugged  hills  and  vales.  Soon  our  baskets  were  filled, 
and  with  a  warm  handclasp  we  parted. 

I  proceeded  up  Wash-Tub  Brook,  and  secured  some 
fresh  plants  of  the  Walking  Fern  in  Hemlock  Glen; 
then  I  returned  to  my  horse.  I  was  laden  with  rare 
treasures  from  the  roadsides  before  I  reached  Mount 
CEta,  late  in  the  afternoon. 

Many  of  the  present  names  of  ferns,  lichens,  and 
mosses  originated  with  the  ancients.  Dioscorides 
knew  and  designated  two  kinds  of  fern.  They  were 
thought  to  put  forth  no  seed  in  those  days,  since  they 
produced  no  flowers — except  as  Dodoens  in  1578  wrote: 

'  Hawthorne's  American  Notes. 
13 


194        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

"  We  shall  take  for  seede  the  blacke  spots  growing  on 
the  backside  of  the  leaves,  the  which  some  do  gather 
thinking  to  worke  wonders,  but  to  say  the  truth,  it  is 
nothing  else  but  truraperie  and  superstition."  ' 

The  Osmunda,  Polypody,  Oak-Fern,  Hart's-Tongue, 
Spleenwort,  Asplenium,  Venus-Hair  and  Maiden-Hair, 
as  well  as  the  delicate  Ruta-Muraria — the  Wall-Rue 
found  on  Gregor  Rocks — were  described  clearly  by  the 
earliest  herbalists.  These  records  are  full  of  errors  and 
confusion,  since  the  natural  afiBnity  of  these  species  was 
not  then  known. 

The  Lichens  were  known  also  as  "  Stone- Liverworts 
{Hepatica),  found  with  wrinkled,  crimpled  leaves  on  the 
ground  or  moist  sweating  rocks,  where  the  sun  shines 
seldom,"  according  to  Dodoens.  Among  the  list  of 
mosses  described,  I  discover  that  our  Round-Leaved 
Sundew,  the  little  carnivorous  plant,  was  anciently 
classed  as  a  species  of  moss,  in  close  relation  with  the 
Ground  and  Club  mosses  known  as  Lycopodium,  But 
the  Sundew,  unlike  the  mosses,  produces  a  stalk  with 
white  flowers.  The  plant  was  considered  strange,  be- 
cause the  stronger  shone  the  sun  upon  the  round,  reddish 
leaves,  the  more  moist  with  drops  of  dew  became  the 
plant;  for  this  reason  it  was  called  in  Latin,  Ros  So//s, 
which  became  in  English  Sundew,  in  1578. 

The  Wall-Rue  Fern  was  thought  to  resemble  the 

Garden  Rue,  but  is  much  smaller.     Rue-of-the-Wall 

was  common  in  Germany  and  Kngland  in  1578,  and 

was  found  upon  old  moist  cathedral  walls  where  the 

'  Dodoens,  History  of  Plants,  p.  290.     1578. 


Gre^or  RocKs  195 

sun  did  not  shine.  It  was  originally  called,  in  apothe- 
cary shops,  Capillus-  Veneris,  Adiantum  ;  and  in  France 
Saluia  vita  and  Ruta  -  Muraria .  There  were  two 
varieties  of  this  fern,  designated  in  Europe  as  Venus- 
Haire  or  Lumbardie  Maiden-Haire,  in  1578.  The 
larger  species  grew  commonly  about  well-springs,  in 
walls  in  Italy.  It  was  known  as  Capillus- Veneris, — 
named  by  the  ancients  Adiantum.  This  fern  has  hairy 
foot  -  stalks,  small,  blackish  leaves,  snipped  around. 
This  species  is,  no  doubt,  our  Venus-Hair  Fern, 
known  to-day  as  Adiantum  Capillus-  Veneris. 

The  Walking  Fern  was  known  to  I^innaeus  by  the 
name  of  Asplenium,  species  of  this  genus  being  used 
against  diseases  of  the  spleen  and  liver.  It  was  un- 
known to  Dodoens  in  1578.  The  Purple-stemmed  Cliff- 
Brake  was  originally  known  as  a  species  of  Pteris,  a 
name  suggested  because  these  ferns  resemble  the  wings 
of  birds. 

Our  native  species  of  Bluebells  of  New  England  are 
emigrants  from  Europe,  and  are  closely  allied  with  the 
Bellflowers  of  Europe.  These  flowers  were  likened  to 
cathedral-bells,  with  a  small  white  clapper  hung  in 
the  middle.  These  were,  according  to  Lyte,  found  in 
Coventry  and  Canterbury,  England,  1578,  opening 
after  "  Sunne-rising,"  and  closing  toward  "  Sunne- 
set."  Theophrastus  knew  these  flowers  centuries 
before  Christ,  while  Pliny  designated  them  in  Latin 
losione. 

Our  Bluebell  (^Campanula)  derived  its  generic  name 
from  campana,   the    Italian  for  a  bell.      The   species 


196        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

found  on  Gregor  Rocks  are  known  as  Campanula 
rotundifolia,  signifying  round-leaved  bells.  The  original 
Bluebells  of  Europe  were  known  in  1578  as  Campanula 
coeruka,  from  whence  the  common  name  originated. 
That  of  the  "  Bluebells  of  New  England"  originated 
with  Thomas  Bailey  Aldrich,  in  his  poem  on  these 
flowers.' 

Between  the  15th  and  19th  of  July  I  made  journeys 
over  the  nearer  hills.  I  visited  Oak  Hill  above  White 
Oaks  Valley,  where  I  found  the  bluebells  abundant 
along  the  roadside  walls,  even  growing  in  the  dooryard 
fences  of  the  dwellers  thereabout.  I  had  never  visited 
this  hill  before,  and  was  charmed  with  its  "glen-like 
seclusion. ' '  It  was  known  as  ' '  Nigger  Hill ' '  before 
White  Oaks  Chapel  was  built  in  the  vale  below,  because 
of  the  colored  population  of  this  place.  It  is  situated 
in  the  shadow  of  the  Dome  and  Mount  Hazen,  sur- 
rounded on  the  northern  and  eastern  sides  by  wild, 
primeval  forests.  The  broad,  sloping  meadows  were 
among  the  first  to  be  cleared  in  this  region,  and  wear 
the  scars  that  follow  in  the  trail  of  the  woodman.  In 
the  time  of  the  Rebellion,  many  slaves  sought  the  se- 
clusion of  this  valley,  and  built  their  shanties  snugly  by 
the  brooks.  Until  quite  recently,  the  roads  of  the  Hol- 
low and  the  streets  of  Williamstown  were  frequented 
by  one  of  these  ancient  slaves,  known  as  "Old  Abe-the- 
Bunter, ' '  who  used  to  sell  huckleberries  and  arbutus, 
and  who  sawed  wood  for  the  students  at  Williams. 
His  real  name  was  Abraham  Parsons.  The  title 
'  T.  B.  Aldrich,  Bluebells  0/ New  England, 


The  Bluebells  of    New  England.      {Campanula;  rolundijolia.) 
"  The  roses  are  a  regal  troup. 

And  modest  folks  tlte  daisies; 

But,  Bluebells  of  New  England, 

To  you  I  give  my  praises." 

Thomas  Bailev  Aldrich. 


Gre^or  RocKs  197 

"  Bunter"  was  affixed  on  account  of  a  horny  growth 
projecting  from  his  forehead,  which  he  used  sometimes 
after  the  manner  of  a  goat.  At  one  time,  many  years 
ago,  a  number  of  students  and  White-Oakers  made  a 
wager  with  Uncle  Abe,  which  he  won  by  butting 
through  the  heavy  oak  head  of  a  molasses  hogshead. 
It  is  also  reported  that  after  this,  some  students,  put- 
ting a  grindstone  into  a  sack,  told  Uncle  Abe  it  was  a 
tough  cheese.  The  old  negro  gave  it  a  terrific  bunt  and 
cracked  the  stone,  but  nearly  killed  himself  by  the 
operation.  He  is  said  later  to  have  killed  a  horse  with 
which  he  had  become  enraged,  by  one  blow  of  this 
horny  growth.  Carroll  Perry  has  published  a  college 
book  in  which  Uncle  Abe  figures  in  one  chapter.  It  is 
entitled  Bill  Pratt,  the  Saw- Horse  Philosopher. 

Civilization  and  the  selling  of  the  streams  for  the 
North  Adams  water-supply  has  caused  the  removal  of 
all  the  shanties  along  the  Hollow  Road.  Only  the  old 
George  Adams  cottage  remains  as  an  example  of  the 
original  type. 

The  region  of  White  Oaks  formerly  included  all  the 
rocky  hills  and  swamps  now  known  as  Coles ville  and 
Riverside,  and  has  received  its  name  from  the  abun- 
dance of  white  oak  timber  in  this  locality,  utilized 
by  the  colored  people  in  making  baskets  which  they 
peddle  in  town.  Many  years  ago,  three  very  large 
white-oak  trees  stood  east  of  the  house  known  as  Old 
Stone  Tavern,  near  Broad  Brook  bridge.  This  build- 
ing still  stands — in  a  deplorable  condition — as  a  tene- 
ment  house.     It  is  over   a   century  old,  built  in  the 


198        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

Revolutionary  days  by  Silas  Stone,  who  kept  tavern 
when  stages  ran  between  Pittsfield,  Bennington,  and 
Troy. 

On  July  1 8th  I  made  a  tour  of  the  limestone  ridge 
above  the  Gulf  Road,  known  as  the  Glebe.  It  is  the 
most  desolate  and  unproductive  soil  in  the  whole  town. 
In  the  early  townships  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants, 
Governor  Benning  Wentworth  required  "  One  Share 
for  a  Glebe  for  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law 
Established,"  and  another  for  schools.  These  lands, 
therefore,  are  to-day  called  "minister  lots"  and  "school 
lots."  The  occupants,  instead  of  paying  taxes,  pay 
lease  money  for  the  use  of  the  land,  which  is  appropri- 
ated according  to  the  vote  of  the  town's  people  for  the 
support  of  ministers  and  schools. 

Beginning  northwest  of  the  Swamp  of  Oracles,  over 
the  Amidon  fields,  one  finds  the  limestone  bed-rock 
cropping  out  everj^where.  Little  rounded  hills  appear 
to  jut  out  of  the  deeper  swamps  leading  toward  Iris 
Swamp  on  Ball  Farm,  as  one  rides  along  the  Pownal 
Centre  Road.  Great  lime-rock  boulders  and  piles  of 
loosened  rock  lie  strewn  over  the  fields.  One  enormous 
boulder  may  be  observed  by  the  road  north  of  Amidon's 
house,  and  another  near  the  Peleg  Card  house.  I  col- 
lected innumerable  Walking  Ferns  scattered  over  these 
miniature  hills  and  boulders.  I  proceeded  northward 
to  the  Campbell  horseshoeing  shop,  in  the  woods  be- 
yond, and  turned  to  the  left  toward  the  ridges  of  the 
Glebe.  Searching  the  rocks  along  the  edges  of  the 
road,  I  found  —  perched  high  on  a  point  of  rocks  —  a 


Gre^or  RocKs  199 

beautiful  colony  of  the  rare  Ebony  Spleenwort  {Asple- 
niuni  platytieuron),  not  common  hereabout.  Over  the 
mossy  rocks  below  I  again  found  numerous  mats  of 
Walking  Fern.  In  finding  these  two  ferns  so  closely 
associated,  I  searched  for  the  rarer  hybrid  of  these 
ferns,  known  as  Scott's  Spleenwort  {^Aspienium  eben- 
oides),  but  did  not  find  it.  It  has  been  seen  but  once 
or  twice  in  Vermont,  to  my  knowledge,  being  more  fre- 
quent in  southern  New  England,  Alabama,  and  Vir- 
ginia, where  it  ascends  fourteen  hundred  feet  above 
the  sea  level. 

The  rich  soil  amid  the  hollows  above  was  covered 
with  the  strange  Grape-Fern,  locally  called  Umbrella- 
Fern  {Botrychium  Virginianuni).  Maiden-Hair  and 
numerous  other  common  ferns  and  brakes  filled  the 
swamps  below.  Coming  from  the  woods,  I  entered  a 
hayfield  where  the  mowers  were  at  work.  Beyond 
this,  I  entered  a  cow-pasture  skirting  the  Glebe  ridge. 
Here  were  deep  hollows  guttered  out,  leading  north- 
ward to  Pownal  Centre.  Pennyroyal  grew  over  the 
parched,  dry  plains,  and  in  the  hot  sun  shed  forth 
its  aromatic  perfume.  Boulders  and  natural  obelisks 
were  lodged  on  the  hills  above.  In  character  the  latter 
are  similar  to  rocking  stones,  that  are  so  finely  poised 
on  the  mutton-backed  bedrock,  that  with  pressure  they 
sway  slightly.  The  obelisks  are  either  pillar-like 
boulders  moored  in  the  mud  and  soil,  or  formed  along 
cliffs  by  the  heat,  frost,  and  wind  erosions,  causing  them 
to  appear  like  columns  or  broken  monuments,  in  the 
distance. 


200        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

On  the  rocks  of  the  Glebe  hills,  I  again  collected 
the  Walking- Fern,  and  I  am  sure  that  if  I  were  to 
penetrate  the  cliffs  of  the  gulf  along  the  western  slopes 
of  this  ridge,  I  should  find  the  Rue-of-the-Wall  and 
Purple-stemmed  Cliff-Brake. 

Far  away  in  the  hollow,  slept  the  little  village  of 
Pownal  Centre.  The  church  steeple  towered  among 
the  trees,  and  the  village  green  sloped  between  the 
church  and  the  old  Revolutionary  road. 


XVI 

Alpine  Blossoms  of  tHe  Dome 

Mountains  seem  to  have  been  built  for  the  human  race,  as 
at  once  their  schools  and  cathedrals  ;  full  of  treasures  of  illu- 
minated manuscript  for  the  scholar,  kindly  in  simple  lessons 
for  the  worker,  quiet  in  pale  cloisters  for  the  thinker,  glorious 
in  holiness  for  the  worshipper. — John  Ruskin. 

OF  the  swamps  and  domes  of  the  Hoosac 
region,  Henry  Ward  Beecher  once  said: 
"  The  most  level  portion  of  this  region,  if 
removed  to  Illinois,  would  be  an  eminent 
hill.  The  region  is  a  valley  only  because  the  moun- 
tains on  the  east  and  west  are  so  much  higher  than  the 
hills  in  the  intermediate  space.  The  endless  variety 
of  such  a  country  never  ceases  to  astonish  and  please. 
At  every  ten  steps  the  aspect  changes;  every  variation 
of  atmosphere,  and  therefore  every  hour  of  the  day, 
produces  new  effects.  It  is  everlasting  company  to 
you.  It  is,  indeed,  just  like  some  choice  companion 
of  rich  heart  and  genial  imagination,  never  twice  alike, 
in  mood,  in  conversation,  in  radiant  sobriety,  or  half- 
bright  sadness,  bold,  tender,  deep,  various." 

On  July  19th  I  drove  beyond  the  Bogs  of  Etchowog, 
over  a  portion  of  the  Hill  Road  toward  Bennington. 
As  I  passed  the  Elijah   Mason  Farm,  I  turned   my 


202        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

horse's  head  through  the  cow-pastures  to  the  east.  In 
a  swamp  to  the  left  of  the  grassy  wood-road,  I  collected 
scattered  Pogonias  and  I^imodorums,  although  the 
season  was  late  for  them.  Still  farther  eastward  are 
impenetrable  swamps,  through  which  Ball  Brook  flows 
northward  to  the  Walloomsac  near  Bennington.  The 
road  led  around  to  another  swamp  farther  eastward, 
toward  which  I  drove.  It  was  one  of  those  wild  re- 
gions, tangled  with  tamarack,  balsam-firs,  high-huckle- 
berry trees,  amid  the  peat  and  sphagnum.  The  green 
spires  of  tamarack  and  fir  swayed  in  billowy  waves  as 
the  wind  breathed  through  these  vales;  and  the  sun- 
shine drew  forth  the  fragrance  of  pitch  and  bal- 
samic resins  from  the  blistered  bark  of  these  young 
trees. 

I  fastened  my  horse  to  a  pine  tree,  and  penetrated 
the  depths  of  this  swamp  as  far  as  I  dared,  along  a 
moss-grown  brook  bed  leading  from  a  spring  toward 
the  interior.  The  heart  of  this  region  was  impenetra- 
ble. The  pioneers,  settling  along  the  valley  of  Ball 
Brook,  chose  in  Revolutionary  days  this  heavily  tim- 
bered region,  in  preference  to  the  lower  swamps  of  the 
deeper  vales  of  the  Hoosac.  It  has  proven  to  be  the 
coldest,  most  desolate,  and  barren  soil  for  corn  and 
grains, — the  most  productive  crops  here  being  stumps 
and  boulders!  Shad-bushes  and  the  high-huckleberry 
bushes  were  laden  with  berries.  I  stood  upon  a  log  and 
ate  of  them  for  some  time,  meanwhile  listening  to  the 
choruses  of  locusts  and  numerous  thrushes,  screaming 
jays,  young  crows,  and  whistling  hawks.     Many  dis- 


Alpine  Blossoms  of  tHe  Dome     203 

tant  sounds  came  whispering  to  me  from  out  this  wild 
solitude  of  Nature.  The  myster}'  of  wild  wood  isola- 
tion, in  the  presence  of  the  scars  of  ages,  took  possession 
of  me,  and  filled  me  with  a  nameless  fear.  I  gave  vent 
to  a  wild  howl  in  order  to  relieve  the  tensity  and  por- 
tentousness  of  the  situation.  It  was  a  damp,  mossy 
place,  such  as  bears,  lynxes,  and  wild  cats  choose  in 
which  to  nap  during  the  day,  being  located  in  their  run 
from  the  Petersburgh  Hills  to  the  Dome  of  the  Green 
Mountains  eastward,  above.  As  Thoreau  described 
one  of  the  Maine  woods  swamps:  "  It  was  ready  to  echo 
the  growl  of  a  bear,  the  howl  of  a  wolf,  or  the  scream 
of  a  panther;  but  when  you  get  fairly  into  the  middle 
of  one  of  these  grim  forests,  you  are  surprised  to  find 
that  the  larger  inhabitants  are  not  at  home  commonly, 
but  have  left  only  a  puny  red  squirrel  to  bark  at  you. 
Generally  speaking,  a  howling  wilderness  does  not 
howl:  it  is  the  imagination  of  the  traveler  that  does  the 
howling."  ' 

I  ventured  on  farther  east,  until  I  came  to  the  true 
spring  of  the  swamp.  Every  swampy  region  reveals 
innumerable  springs,  and  this  swamp  was  no  exception. 
Many  were  oozing  through  the  carpets  of  moss.  Around 
such  fountains  I  searched  for  the  familiar  leaves  of 
Moccasin-Flowers  without  success. 

I  returned  to  the  open  pastures,  all  fear  of  the  wilder- 
ness having  subsided.  I  looked  about,  and  saw  from 
the  lay  of  the  land  that  this  had  been  the  bed  of  a 
glacial  lake.  It  is  in  such  regions  as  these  that  fossil 
'Thoreau,  3faine Woods,  p.  300. 


204        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

remains  of  the  whale  and  mastodon  have  been  found. 
A  fossil  whale  was  found  in  Charlotte,  Vermont,  sixty 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  sea  level.  In  Swanton,  in  a  ledge  of 
rock  blasted  through  for  railroad  purposes,  a  large  de- 
posit of  fossil  marine  shells  was  found.  Also  fossil 
bones  of  the  elephant  were  found  in  Brattleboro. 

Beyond  the  Howling  Swamp,  an  interesting  gla- 
cial hill  rises,  dividing  the  swamp  from  the  broader 
valley  of  Ball  Brook  beyond.  The  lower  south- 
ern brow  of  this  hill  had  been  eroded  by  the  cur-^ 
rents  formerly  flowing  over  the  ridge  when  a  larger 
lake  existed  here.  From  the  summit  of  this  hill,  one 
becomes  conscious  that  not  so  long  ago  wide  waters 
spread  about.  Two  currents  are  evident, — one  from 
the  glaciated  Dome,  flowing  westward,  and  one  from 
the  ice-capped  heights  of  Mount  Anthony,  southeast- 
ward; the  two  currents  mingling  and  rushing  westward 
over  the  Glebe  toward  Pownal  Centre  and  the  natural 
dam  at  Gregor  Rocks,  toward  the  Hudson  Valley  and 
the  sea.  Slowly — as  the  dam  in  the  valley  broke  away 
and  let  the  ice-currents  out — the  mountain  lakes  were 
drained  off,  and  left  these  bare,  round  hills  and  deep, 
swampy  hollows,  where  as  soon  as  the  climates  grew 
temperate,  forests  of  evergreens  sprang  up  and  flowers 
bloomed.  Northward,  toward  Bennington,  as  far  as 
the  eye  can  see,  one  discerns  a  chain  of  rounded  wooded 
hills  and  intervening  swamps. 

On  my  way  homeward,  I  stopped  at  the  Swamp  of 
Oracles,  and  decided  to  climb  up  the  sides  of  the  ravine 


Alpine  Blossoms  of  tHe  Dome     205 

for  a  look  at  the  L,arge  Round-Leaved  Orchis,  found 
here  in  June.  I  passed  through  Clintonia  Hollow,  be- 
yond the  woodchuck's  home,  where  I  had  observed 
the  Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis  in  the  little  animal's 
dooryard.  There  I  struck  out  westward  up  the  hill- 
side. I  frightened  up  the  same  mother  whippoorwill 
that  I  had  disturbed  earlier  in  the  season.  The  little 
birds  of  the  second  brood  were  now  large,  and  com- 
mencing to  feather.  They  were  fluffy,  and  of  a  dead- 
leaf  yellowish-brown  color.  Their  large,  round,  brown 
eyes  were  hke  small  shoe  buttons.  They  began  to  run 
about  at  sight  of  me.  The  mother,  meanwhile,  feigned 
a  broken  wing  and  moaned  piteously,  with  actual  tears 
in  her  sad  eyes.  I  lifted  the  downy  balls  in  my  hands. 
They  snuggled  without  fear  in  my  sleeve,  and  closed 
their  sleepy  eyes.  Finally  I  put  them  on  the  leaves 
together,  and  promised  the  mother  I  would  not  again 
disturb  her. 

We  have  two  species  of  the  Goatsucker  Family  {Cap- 
rimulgidcB)^  including  the  Whippoorwill  {Antrostoinus 
vociferus),  and  the  Southern  Whippoorwill,  or  Chuck- 
will's-widow  {Antrostomus  Carolinensis) .  The  closely 
allied  Night-Hawk,  or  Bull-Bat  {Chordeiles  Virgmi- 
ajius),  is  often  mistaken  for  the  Northern  Whippoor- 
will. Its  habits  and  flight  are  far  different,  however, 
although  the  homes  of  both  are  similarly  adopted. 
The  Night-Hawk  deposits  her  two  bufi"-green  eggs  on 
rocks,  bare  ground,  or  on  flat  roofs,  either  in  country 
or  village.  All  of  these  birds  winter  in  the  Southern 
lands,  and  all  save  the  Chuck-will's- widow  arrive  here 


2o6        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

about  the  third  week  in  May,  returning  with  their 
broods  the  latter  part  of  September. 

The  Twilight-Hawk  preys  upon  other  birds  and 
moths.  I  have  observed  him  at  twilight,  on  a  cloudy 
day  in  autumn,  circling  and  diving  down  among  the 
weeds  about  a  potato  field,  where  sparrows  were  feed- 
ing in  great  numbers.  The  sparrows  flew  in  fear  to- 
ward the  house,  one  driving  so  forcefully  against  the 
window-pane  that  he  dropped  to  the  ground  with  a 
broken  neck.  This  Night-Hawk  gives  forth  a  peculiar 
moan  or  call, — "  Peent," — accompanied  by  a  booming, 
buzzing  sound  in  flight,  as  the  wind  passes  through 
the  quills  of  its  feathers.  It  whizzes  swiftly  through 
the  air,  swooping  down  upon  its  prey  about  the  fields 
or  garden. 

The  leaves  of  the  Pink  Moccasins — sometimes  called 
Whippoorwill's-Shoes — were  numerous  about  the  place, 
the  flowers  serving,  near  the  ever-changing  nests,  to 
attract  the  insects  and  moths  upon  which  the  birds 
feed. 

I  found  another  oven-bird's  thatched  nest  in  Witch 
Hollow  region,  late  in  June,  very  near  the  colony  of 
Ram's-Head  Cypripediums.  On  my  return  to  secure 
a  photograph  ot  it,  I  found  that  some  animal — perhaps 
a  dog  or  skunk — had  torn  the  nest  to  pieces  and  de- 
voured the  birdlings. 

The  Small  Round-Leaved  Orchis,  which  formerly  I 
observed  in  Chalk  Pond  region,  has  developed  into  the 
varietal  form  of  this  species — producing  oblong  leaves 
— known  as  Habenaria  oblongifolia.     This  often  occurs 


Alpine  Blossoms  of  tHe  Dome     207 

when  the  flower  is  in  company  with  the  true  Round- 
Leaved  Orchis.  This  season  I  have  instanced  the  fact 
in  another  colony  of  these  orchids,  in  Rattlesnake 
Swamp. 

The  flowers  found  on  the  summit  of  the  Dome,  three 
thousand  feet  above  sea  level,  are  slightly  modified  in 
size  and  coloring.  They  are  fully  two  or  three  weeks 
later  in  blooming  than  the  same  species  flourishing  in 
the  Hoosac  Lowlands. 

On  July  20th,  with  two  other  mountain  climbers,  I 
started  from  the  brow  of  Mount  CEta,  and  at  nine 
o'clock  descended  to  Rattlesnake  Swamp  and  the 
secret  haunts  of  Showy  Reginae.  We  crossed  the 
stream  over  the  log  bridge,  and  followed  up  the  old  Joe 
Larabee  path;  passing  around  the  southern  ledge  of  the 
Domelet  to  the  Dummy  Road  watering-trough.  The 
path  was  densely  overgrown  with  bushes,  and  impeded 
with  heaps  of  treetops.  However,  we  finally  came  out 
to  the  Exford  Clearing  and  the  White  Oaks  Road  be- 
yond. At  the  watering-trough,  a  road  turns  to  the 
right  hand  through  Rocky  Hollow,  leading  to  the  Coal- 
Bed,  or  Chip-Bed,  as  it  is  known.  We  sauntered  along 
the  shady  path  of  the  Hollow  until  we  came  to  the 
clearing,  where  loggers  in  winter  haul  and  pile  their 
spruce  and  hemlock  logs  for  later  milling.  From  this 
station,  four  roads  branch  in  various  directions.  We 
took  the  northeast  path,  and  were  soon  climbing 
steadily  toward  the  clouds.  On  a  previous  occasion, 
during  March,  I  had  ridden  on  a  logger's  sleigh  to  the 
summit.     The  snow,  then  about  four  feet  deep,  covered 


2o8        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

fallen  trees,  over  which,  during  summer,  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  walk.  In  winter,  the  hardened,  encrusted 
snow  spreads  a  clear,  smooth  surface  for  walking,  far 
above  impassable  barriers  and  tangled  brush.  In  its 
summer  garb,  the  road  was  strangely  confusing  to  me. 
It  was  rocky,  and  intersected  by  sun-dried  brook  beds, 
which  the  melting  snows  had  guttered  in  spring. 

Rocky  Hollow  Road  is  available  for  horse  and  car- 
riage as  far  as  Logger's  Depot,  and  northward  to  the 
Dummy  Road.  The  trees  along  this  vale  are  chestnuts, 
beech,  yellow,  white,  and  black  birch,  white  oak,  black 
oak,  maples,  and  various  flowering  bushes,  such  as 
azalea,  mountain  laurel,  and  shad  trees.  As  one 
ascends,  the  trees  become  dwarfed  and  gnarled,  and 
many  abnormal  forms  occur  among  the  yellow  birch. 
As  we  neared  the  summit,  the  yellow  birch  trunks  as- 
sumed great  size,  while  their  tops  were  scraggy  and 
dwarfed  by  the  winds  and  storms.  Higher  up,  we 
found  little  but  spruce,  hemlock,  and  balsam -fir;  the 
trees  and  bushes  became  low-lying, — hugging  the  rocks 
for  protection  from  the  winds. 

Frequently  we  paused  by  the  path  for  breath,  finding 
sweet  Canada  Violets  (  Viola  Canadensis)  ripening  their 
seed-capsules.  They  were  ready  to  burst  and  throw 
their  seeds  about  for  some  feet.  We  collected  several 
plants  to  transplant.  The  brakes  and  sphagnum  indi- 
cated a  swamp  not  far  distant.  We  began  to  feel 
thirsty,  and  searched  about  without  finding  trace  of 
a  spring,  although  one  is  said  to  be  near  here,  with  a 
rusty  tin  cup  hung  to  a  tree.     To  the  left  of  the  path, 


Alpine  Blossoms  of  tKe  Dome     209 

we  saw  the  ruins  of  a  wood-chopper's  log  cabin,  which 
assured  us  that  brook  or  spring  must  be  near,  else  the 
spot  never  would  have  been  chosen  for  man's  habita- 
tion. Above  the  hut,  we  came  to  a  clearing.  A  level 
stretch  led  to  the  junction  of  two  roads :  one  led  directly 
ahead,  terminating  on  the  I^add  Lot,  while  the  path  to 
the  right  turned  abruptly  up  the  steeps  to  the  summit 
of  the  Dome.  The  last  few  rods  were  the  steepest  por- 
tion of  the  whole  journey,  the  rest  of  the  climb  having 
wound  around  about  in  gradual  ascent. 

At  last  we  walked  along  the  edges  of  a  precipice 
above  Bear  Swamp.  In  the  scorching  heat  of  noon  we 
made  one  last  turn  eastward,  entering  the  clearing  on 
the  very  brow  of  the  desolate  Dome,  three  thousand 
feet  above  the  sea.  Here  were  dense  groups  of  beauti- 
ful spruces  and  balsam-firs.  The  forest  floor  was 
carpeted  with  luxuriant  leaves  of  clintonia  and  dwarf 
dogwood, —  sometimes  wrongly  called  bear  -  berries. 
The  latter,  an  Alpine  species,  was  still  in  bloom,  the 
flower  sometimes  having  two  whorls  of  rosy-tinted 
petals.  The  mountain  snowberry,  creeping  winter- 
green,  trailing  arbutus,  and  goldthread  were  clinging 
to  the  sphagnous  hummocks  over  the  summit,  while 
Alpine  species  of  huckleberries  crept  through  the  clear- 
ing and  draped  the  white- faced  rocks. 

The  great  stillness  of  Nature's  solitude  was  broken 
only  by  the  buzzing  of  insects,  the  notes  of  the  chicka- 
dees, and  the  winds  soughing  through  the  boughs  of 
spruce  and  firs.  The  brow  of  the  Majestic  Dome  re- 
ceives the  force  of  the  eight  winds  of  heaven  direct  from 


2IO       Do^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

the  frozen  North  or  from  the  fragrant  Southlands.  In 
March,  1894,  ^  terrific  tornado  swept  over  this  region 
from  the  northeast,  mowing  a  path  several  rods  wide 
over  the  Dome,  and  laying  the  spruce  and  firs  in  a 
twisted  pile;  —  that  portion  of  the  summit  is  almost 
impassable  to-day.  During  these  great  northeasters  in 
the  spring,  the  birds  and  beasts  of  the  Dome  seek  the 
lower  plains  and  hollows. 

We  wandered  southward  in  the  path  of  the  tornado, 
a  quarter  mile  or  so,  to  a  sphagnous  swamp  and  the 
ledge  of  White  Rock  on  the  side  of  the  Dome.  The 
view  from  these  rocks  is  variable,  yet  not  picturesque 
nor  pastoral  as  the  one  from  Mount  CEta.  It  is  wild, 
fearful, — beyond  all  signs  or  sounds  of  civilization.  Far 
to  the  southwest  the  blue  Catskills  blend  with  the  sky; 
southward  the  grim,  awkward,  ragged  shoulders  of 
Grey  lock's  Brotherhood  tower;  from  the  eastern  brow. 
Haystack  and  Stamford  Mountains  roll  away,  one  after 
the  other,  like  great  land  waves.  The  deep  valley  of 
Broad  Brook  sleeps  below.  The  slopes  of  Stamford 
Mountains  are  dotted  with  evergreen  trees  for  miles,  as 
far  as  one  can  see. 

Gathering  a  few  fragrant  balsam-fir  boughs,  we  now 
rapidly  began  to  descend  the  mountain,  for  while  the 
luncheon  we  carried  had  satisfied  our  hunger,  we  were 
sadly  in  need  of  drinking  water.  We  soon  found  our- 
selves at  the  Coal-Bed,  gathering  the  Wild- wood  Tiger 
I^ilies  {Lilium  Philadelpkicum),  which  we  had  observed 
as  we  passed  in  the  morning.  We  ate  the  late  wild 
strawberries  along  the  roadside,  and  took  a  long  rest  in 


The  Red  Wood  Lily.    {Lilium  Philaddphicam.) 
"  ()  lilies,  tipturucd  lilies. 

How  swift  their  prisoned  rays 

To  smile  with  fire  from  Heave): 

Tlie  fainting  August  days  I  " 

Elaine  Goodale. 


Alpine  Blossoms  of  tHe  Dome     2  1 1 

the  shade,  pursuing  our  way  later  down  the  Rocky  Hol- 
low Road  northward  to  Blackberry  Clearing,  on  the 
Dummy  Farm.  Here  we  religiously  searched  the 
ravines  for  Deaf-Man's  Spring.  Major,  our  dog,  was 
the  first  to  discover  it.  We  found  him  taking  a  bath  in 
the  deepest  pool.  However,  a  higher  basin  was  over- 
flowing with  fresh,  clean  water,  from  which  we  drank 
excessively.  The  reviving  effect  upon  our  spirits  was 
immediate.  Deaf-Man's  Fountain  is  in  the  ravine  of 
Dry  Brook,  walled  up  like  a  little  well.  It  is  the  only 
water  in  this  immediate  vale, — a  natural  and  everlasting 
spring-head.  Guide-boards  should  be  erected  at  the 
four  corners  of  country  roads,  directing  travellers  to  the 
water-supply,  the  need  of  which  is  often  so  powerfully 
felt  by  pilgrims. 

We  rounded  the  Domelet,  descended  to  Jepson  Farm 
in  Rattlesnake  Valley,  and  proceeded  to  Lloyd  Spring 
and  the  colony  of  Showy  Reginse.  At  this  point  in 
our  travels,  we  had  completed  a  great  circle. 


XVII 

THe    Cascade    and    Bellows  -  Pipe, 
NotcK  Valley,  BerKsHire  County 

Come  here  where  Greylock  rolls 
Itself  toward  heaven  ;  in  these  deep  silences 

World-worn  and  fretted  souls 

Bathe  and  be  clean  !    Cares  drift  like  mists  awa}\ 

Author  Unknown. 


M 


ONDAY,  July  226.,  dawned  fair,   although 

there  were  some  signs  of  a  storm  in  the 

lowering  gray  cloud-folds  at  the  horizon. 

However,  we  had  decided  to  explore  the 

Notch  Valley  and  the  Bellows-Pipe,  between  Greylock 

and  the  Ragged  Mountains. 

We  journeyed  from  Mount  O^ta  to  North  Adams, 
leaving  State  Street  about  ten  o'clock,  and  ascended 
the  path  to  Witt's  Ledge.  Soon  we  rounded  the 
Ragged  Mountains,  entering  the  woods  near  Crystal 
Spring,  where  we  descended  the  Cascade  ravine.  Its 
rocky  chasm  is  beautifully  draped  with  the  Common 
Polypody  Ferns,  and  delicate  tufts  of  Maiden-Hair 
Spleenwort,  which  clings  in  the  fissured  ledges.  The 
bed-rock  appears  to  be  a  flinty  slate,  similar  to  that  of 
the  Tunnel  Mountain,  It  is  not  so  favorable  to  the 
growth  of  the  rarer  ferns — such  as  the  Rue-in-the-Wall 

2T2 


The  Cascade  of  Notch  Brook,  at  the  Base  of  Mount  Greylock's  Brotherhood, 
North  Adams,  Massachusetts. 

"  Tlie  highest  lands  of  Berkshire's  noble  hills 
Shall  sweetly  ring  with  song  and  louder  trills; 
And  many  a  spring  within  the  Bellows  dumb 
Shall  S2vcll  and  flaiv  icilh  swift,  yet  soothing  hum." 

G    G.  N. 


Cascade  and  Bello-ws-Pipe      213 

— as  the  lime- rock  formation  of  Gregor  Rocks  in  Pow- 
nal.  L,arge  boulders  lie  in  the  heart  of  the  brook  bed, 
and  the  hillsides  are  clothed  with  primeval  hemlocks. 
Just  above  the  brow  of  the  Cascade,  I  found  a  few 
Walking  Ferns.  The  ravine  is  accessible  to  this  point, 
but  here  I  was  forced  back  and  climbed  the  southern 
bank  to  the  path  leading  around  to  the  waterfalls. 
High  boots  supplied  with  hob-nails  are  indispensable 
to  safety  in  such  climbing  in  the  channels  of  streams. 

From  this  point  we  retraced  our  steps  to  the  Pent 
Road,  leading  up  through  SnuflF  Hollow  to  the  City's 
reservoir,  at  the  junction  of  the  South  Adams  Road. 
Here  we  trudged  up  the  hill  and  entered  the  Notch 
highway  at  Walden's  farmhouse.  Greylock  Park 
Road  turns  oflf  here  through  the  pastures,  around 
Mount  Williams.  We,  however,  continued  straight 
ahead  toward  the  source  of  The  Notch  Brook, — Haw- 
thorne's and  Thoreau's  routes,  long  before  roads  to 
Greylock  were  available.  It  was  steady  climbing, 
until  at  last  we  reached  the  pasture-land  where  the 
streams  from  Greylock 's  Brotherhood  divide;  there  is 
a  stream  beyond  the  ridge,  flowing  southward  to  South 
Adams,  while  those  on  the  north  side  flow  down  Notch 
Valley  to  the  Hoosac  River.  Hawthorne  often  sought 
the  seclusion  of  this  valley,  and  in  his  American  Notes, 
under  date  of  September  9,  1838,  describes  these  rugged 
slopes.  He  not  only  followed  up  the  North  Notch, 
but  descended  the  South  Notch  in  the  rocky  course 
of  the  stream  homeward  through  South  Adams.  He 
speaks  of   inquiring   at  a  cottage  his  way  to   South 


214        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Village,  which  was  "  across  lots,"  into  the  road  near 
the  Quaker  Meeting-house,  surrounded  by  grave-stones. 
He  also  drank  of  the  region's  spring  water, — the  "most 
delicious  "  he  ever  tasted, — "  pure,  fresh,  almost  spark- 
ling, exhilarating,  —  such  water  as  Adam  and  Eve 
drank."  ' 

The  people  of  this  region  looked  upon  his  journe5's 
through  their  valley  with  curiosity  in  those  early  days. 
The  houses  were  more  numerous  then  than  now  in  the 
extreme  southern  portion  of  the  valley.  This  region 
has  been  purchased  by  the  North  Adams  Water  Com- 
pany, which  has  removed  all  dwellings  above  the 
reservoir.  The  last  house  in  The  Notch  to-day  is  on 
the  Walden  Farm,  at  Grey  lock  Park  Gate. 

Hawthorne  found,  in  the  Highlands-of-the-Hoosac, 
the  originals  of  many  characters  described  in  his  works. 
' '  Eustace  Bright, ' '  of  Wonder- Book,  was  a  student  of 
"Williams;  and  the  Tanglewood  Tales  have  made  the 
whole  world  familiar  with  "  rough,  broken,  rugged, 
headlong  Berkshire."  Here,  in  the  seclusion  of  The 
Bellows-Pipe,  "  where  it  slopes  upward  to  the  skies," 
Hawthorne  loved  best  to  come.  There  he  could  look 
southward  over  the  vast  fields  of  Berkshire's  valleys 
to  the  distant  crags  of  Bryant's  "  Monument  Moun- 
tain," immortalized  as  the  "  headless  sphinx"  of  his 
own  Wonder- Book.  And  from  the  northern  Notch,  he 
looked  away  to  the  blue  Domes  of  the  White  Moun- 
tains, a  distance  of  sixty  miles  or  more. 

The  Limekilns  along  the  Ashuilticook — the  south 
'  Hawthorne,  American  Notes,  September  9,  1838. 


Cascade  and  Dello-ws-Pipe      215 

branch  of  the  Hoosac  —  still  are  smoking,  as  when 
Hawthorne  and  Mr.  lyeach  visited  them  in  1838.  The 
tale  of  Ethan  Brand  was  suggested  by  the  legend  of  an 
insane  creature  who  threw  himself  in  at  the  open  gate 
of  the  burning  kiln.  Their  open  iron  doors  in  the 
mountain-side  at  night  seem  like  yawning  mouths  of 
Tartarus.  Hawthorne  met  here  also  his  "Bertram," 
who  figures  in  the  story;  while  "  the  boy  Joe,"  son  of 
"Bertram,  the  Hme-burner,"  was  a  bar-room  lad  ob- 
served at  the ' '  Whig  Tavern ' '  in  North  Adams.  Daniel 
Haines,  then  living  in  a  desolate  hut  in  "  Willow  Dell," 
was  formerly  nicknamed  in  the  village  as  "  Black 
Hawk,"  and  is  described  in  Ethaji  Brand  as  "  Lawyer 
Giles,"  the  "elderly  ragmuffin,"  who — with  the  rest 
of  the  lazy  regiment  from  the  town  tavern — came  in 
response  to  the  summons  of  "boy  Joe"  to  see  poor 
Brand  returned  from  his  long  "  search  after  the  Un- 
pardonable Sin."  The  title  of  this  story  was  the 
name  of  one  of  the  prose  master's  Salem  acquaintances. 
Among  other  characters  which  Hawthorne  drew  from 
this  region,  were  the  "seven  doctors  of  the  place." 
In  the  '  *  Whig  Tavern  boarder ' '  Hawthorne  saw 
and  delineated  himself.  He  describes  the  Saddleback 
Mountain  and  Greylock  in  all  their  different  phases, — 
when  enshrouded  with  dark  masses  of  storm  clouds 
and  when:  "  Old  Greylock  was  glorified  with  a  golden 
cloud  upon  his  head.  Scattered  likewise  over  the 
breasts  of  the  surrounding  mountains,  there  were 
heaps  of  hoary  mist,  in  fantastic  shapes,  some  of  thern 
far  down  into  the  valley,  others  high  up  toward  the 


2i6        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

summits,  and  still  others,  of  the  same  family  of  mist 
or  cloud,  hovering  in  the  gold  radiance  of  the  upper  at- 
mosphere. Stepping  from  one  to  another  of  the  clouds 
that  rested  on  the  hills,  and  thence  to  the  loftier  brother- 
hood that  sailed  in  air,  it  seemed  almost  as  if  a  mortal 
man  might  thus  ascend  into  the  heavenly  regions. 
Earth  was  so  mingled  with  sky,  that  it  was  a  day 
dream  to  look  at  it.  To  supply  that  charm  of  the 
familiar  and  homely,  which  Nature  so  readily  adopts 
into  a  scene  like  this,  the  stage-coach  was  rattling 
down  the  mountain-road,  and  the  driver  sounded  his 
horn,  while  Echo  caught  up  the  notes,  and  intertwined 
them  into  a  rich  and  varied  and  elaborate  harmony,  of 
which  the  original  performer  could  lay  claim  to  little 
share.  The  great  hills  played  a  concert  among  them- 
selves, each  contributing  a  strain  of  airy  sweetness."  ' 
As  we  neared  the  head  of  The  Bellows-Pipe,  and 
passed  the  Wilbur  and  Eddy  farms,  where  Thoreau 
was  entertained,  I  tried  to  trace  the  paths  which  he  had 
followed  in  his  ascent  to  Greylock  some  years  after 
Hawthorne  sojourned  here.  He  stopped  that  July 
afternoon  in  North  Adams  Village,  purchased  a  tin 
cup,  a  little  rice  and  sugar,  and,  placing  them  in  his 
knapsack,  started  up  The  Bellows  toward  the  moun- 
tains, followed  closely  by  a  thunderstorm.  "  The 
thunder  had  rumbled  at  my  heels  all  the  way,"  he 
said,  "  but  the  shower  passed  off  in  another  direction, 
though  if  it  had  not,  I  half  believed  that  I  should  get 
^bove  it."  He  "reached  the  last  house  but  one,  where 
'  Hawthorne,  Ethan  Brand. 


Cascade  and  Bello"ws-Pipe      217 

the  path  to  the  summit  diverged  to  the  right,  while  the 
summit  itself  rose  directly  in  front."  But  it  seems  he 
"  determined  to  follow  up  the  valley  to  its  head,"  and 
there  find  his  ' '  own  route  up  the  steep  as  the  shorter 
and  more  adventurous  way."  He  believed  this  "oc- 
cupied much  less  time  than  it  would  have  taken  to 
follow  the  path  —  for  what  's  the  hurry?  If  a  per- 
son lost  would  conclude  that  after  all  he  is  nbt  lost, 
.  .  .  but  the  places  that  have  known  him,  they  are 
lost, — how  much  anxiety  and  danger  would  vanish.  I 
am  not  alone  if  I  sta  nd  by  myself. ' '  ' 

We  followed  up  the  eastern  sides  of  Notch  Valley  to 
the  head  of  The  Bellows  where  the  Saw  Mill  had  stood 
in  Thoreau's  day.  We  regaled  ourselves  upon  the  red 
raspberries  along  the  pasture,  and  found  the  Deadly 
Nightshade  in  bloom  amid  the  bushes.  These  fields 
furnish  pasturage  for  yearlings  and  calves.  The  sides 
of  Greylock  are  clothed  with  a  heavy  forest — "  all  be- 
shaggled," — and  adorned  with  "  headlong  precipices  " 
and  innumerable  rivulets.  Finally  we  crossed  to  the 
west  side  of  the  valley,  in  the  shadow  of  the  great 
hill,  and  entered  a  ravine  which  we  christened  ^olian 
Glen. 

I  have  always  believed  that  this  Notch  Valley 
was  in  Thoreau's  thoughts  when  he  wrote  "Rumors 
from  an  ^olian  Harp."  The  name  "  Bellows-Pipe" 
originated  with  the  early  settlers  for  the  extreme  por- 
tion of  Notch  Valley,  on  account  of  the  subtle  roaring 

'  Thoreau,  Tuesday,  Week  on  the  Concord  and  Merrimack 
Rivers. 


2i8        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

of  the  southeast  winds,  breathing  like  a  bellows 
through  the  narrow  vale.  The  Indians  recognized  in 
the  roar  of  winds  the  anger  of  the  Great  Spirit.  The 
Hoosac  Highlands  near  the  "  Forbidden  Mountain  " 
were  their  hunting  grounds,  to  which  they  journeyed 
from  their  Indian  village  farther  westward  near 
Schaghticoke,  not  far  from  Troy-on-the-Hudson. 

Thoreau  says  of  this  vale's  "glen-like  seclusion  over- 
looking the  country  at  a  great  elevation  between  these 
two  mountain  walls,"  that  it  reminded  him  of  the 
homesteads  of  the  Huguenots,  on  the  interior  hills  of 
Staten  Island. 

As  Thoreau  passed  the  last  house  in  The  Bellows,  on 
his  ascent  to  Grey  lock,  "  Rice"  called  out  and  told  him 
that  it  was  still  four  or  five  miles  to  the  summit  by  the 
path  which  he  had  left,  though  not  more  than  two  in  a 
straight  line  from  where  he  was,  but  that  nobody  ever 
went  this  waj';  there  was  no  path  and  it  would  be 
found  as  ' '  steep  as  the  roof  of  a  house. ' '  But  Thoreau 
took  the  short  cut,  notwithstanding  Wilbur's  warning 
that  he  would  not  reach  the  summit  of  Greylock  that 
night.  Thoreau  says,  however:  "  I  made  my  way 
steadily  upward  in  a  straight  line,  through  a  dense 
undergrowth  of  mountain  laurel,  until  the  trees  began 
to  have  a  scraggy  and  infernal  look,  as  if  contending 
with  frost  goblins,  and  at  length  I  reached  the  summit, 
just  as  the  sun  was  setting."  After  taking  "  one  fair 
view  of  the  country  before  the  sun  went  down , ' '  Thoreau 
"set  out  directly  to  find  water. ' '  It  proved  to  be  labor, 
too.     Following  down  the  path  for  half  a  mile  he  came 


Cascade  and  Bellows-Pipe      219 

to  a  muddy  place  in  the  road  ' '  where  the  water  stood 
in  the  tracks  of  the  horses  which  had  carried  travellers 
up."  He  drank  these  dry,  one  after  the  other,  by  lying 
flat  on  the  earth.  He  was  not  able  to  fill  his  dipper, 
and  in  a  place  above  dug  a  well  about  two  feet  deep, 
using  his  hands  and  sharp  stones  as  spade  and  hoe.  It 
soon  filled  with  pure  cold  water,  from  which  he  filled 
his  tin  cup;  and  he  says:  "  The  birds,  too,  came  and 
drank  at  it."  He  then  proceeded  to  the  rude  wooden 
observatory  originally  erected  by  Williams  College,  for 
the  construction  of  which  Piatt— "a  friend  of  mine," 
writes  Hawthorne  in  the  Diary  — hauled  the  material 
by  ox-team.  Piatt,  the  stage-driver,  boasted  of  the  fact 
that  he  was  the  first  man  to  drive  a  team  to  the  summit 
of  the  then  pathless  Greylock,  led  by  President  GriflSn 
of  Williams  on  horseback,  who  directed  the  building  of 
that  first  observatory.  This  tower  is  now  replaced  by 
a  modern  iron  structure  fifty  feet  high. 

Thoreau  collected  some  ' '  dry  sticks,  and  made  a  fire 
on  some  flat  stones '  *  placed  on  the  floor  of  the  observa- 
tory for  the  purpose,  and  cooked  the  rice  which  he  had 
bought  in  the  village,  eating  it  with  a  wooden  spoon 
whittled  out  for  the  occasion.  He  was  up  at  daybreak 
the  next  morning,  and  he  has  left  a  glorious  description 
of  sunrise  on  Greylock,  as  seen  from  the  tower  in  the 
mists.' 

The  nights  are  very  chill  on  these  summits,  even  in 
July.      There  are  now  several  log-cabins  erected  on 

'  Thoreau,  Tuesday,  Week  on  the  Concord  and  Merrimack 
Rivers. 


2  20        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Greylock  for  travellers  to  occupy,  with  stables  for 
horses  and  keepers  in  attendance.  The  Catskills  can 
be  seen  to  the  southwestward  from  this  height. 

Thoreau  set  his  compass  for  a  lake  in  the  valley  to 
the  southwest,  and  descended  the  mountain  by  his  own 
route,  on  the  opposite  side  to  that  of  his  ascent. 

My  companions  and  I  had  climbed  the  slippery  glen 
to  where  Thoreau  commenced  his  ascent,  and  a  tiny 
rivulet  slipped  over  the  rocks,  which  had  formerly  been 
dimpled  with  miniature  pot-holes.  Along  the  moss- 
grown  banks,  above  the  brook-bed,  grew  the  familiar 
leaves  of  the  Wild  Ginger,  while  at  the  very  entrance 
I  discovered  the  Wild  Black  Currants  {Ribes  Jloridum), 
similar  in  taste  and  appearance  to  the  cultivated  species. 
The  fruit  was  covered  with  bristles,  and  produced  a 
disagreeable  odor  like  that  of  the  Wild  Red  Currants 
on  the  Dome — reminding  one  of  a  skunk. 

At  the  entrance  of  ^olian  Glen,  a  long  log-like  slab 
of  rock  lay  upon  the  ground,  strangely  suggesting  a 
petrified  tree.  Slowly  we  descended  the  western  side 
of  the  vale,  counting  no  less  than  twenty-two  flowing 
brooklets,  and  four  sun-dried  brook-beds  between 
^olian  Brook,  at  the  head  of  the  Bellows,  and  Walden 
Farm  below.  As  we  approached  the  meadows  where 
the  Wilbur  Farm  buildings  formerly  stood,  we  found 
a  half-dozen  spikes  of  the  Ragged  Orchis  {^Habenaria 
lacerd)  amid  the  damp  grasses.  This  species  I  col- 
lected also  later  in  the  pastures  of  Rattlesnake  Swamp, 
and  found  the  pure  White-Fringed  Orchis  along  the 
roadside  of  L,add  Brook  Valley  in  Pownal. 


Cascade  and  Bello^ws-Pipe      221 

We  now  arrived  at  Crystal  Spring,  where  we  fresh- 
ened up  before  entering  the  City  in  the  "  hollow  vale" 
three  miles  below. 

The  formation  of  the  Notch  Valley  was  brought 
about  by  one  of  the  successive  terminal  moraines  flow- 
ing from  the  glaciated  slopes  of  the  ice-mountains 
farther  northwestward,  in  the  Adirondack  region; 
while  later  the  glaciated  shoulders  of  Greylock's 
Brotherhood  slowly  melted,  eroding  the  slopes  with 
small  ravines  in  which  the  numerous  rivulets  flow  to- 
day. The  continental  ice  rivers  from  the  higher  glaciers 
northward  apparently  culminated  in  tremendous  and 
successive  cascades  above  Notch  Valley,  eroding  the 
deep-cut  gorges  between  Greylock  and  Ragged  Moun- 
tains. The  general  directions  of  these  currents,  below 
these  waterfalls,  were  various,  finally  leading  down  to 
the  ancient  Hoosac  Lake,  and  flowing  with  it  through 
the  natural  dam,  northwestwardly,  to  the  Hudson 
Valley,  and  thence  to  the  sea.  According  to  Professor 
T.  Nelson  Dale,  an  ancient  lake  six  hundred  feet  deep 
existed  in  the  Hoosac  Valley  ten  thousand  years  ago. 
Perhaps  ten  times  ten  thousand  years  ago,  a  greater 
glacial  sea  overflowed  the  Hoosac  Tunnel  Mountains, 
leaving  the  bald  summit  of  Greylock  alone  towering 
above  the  waves.  As  the  terminal  moraines  of  the 
great  ice-sheet  slowly  receded,  the  various  cascades 
formed  pot-hole  erosions,  in  their  descent  on  the  Canaan 
Hills,  above  the  Connecticut  Valley.  Deerfield  Arch 
was  similarly  formed  by  the  force  and  chemical  action 
of  the  eroding  ice  rivers,  which  flowed  from  glaciers. 


2  22        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

and  wore  through  the  wall  of  rock  spanning  the  Deer- 
field  Valley.  Hawthorne  compared  this  arch  to  ' '  the 
arched  entrance  of  an  ancient  church,  which  it  might 
be  taken  to  be,  though  considerably  dilapidated  and 
weather-worn.  ...  It  was  really  like  the  archway 
of  an  enchanted  palace,  all  of  which  has  vanished  ex- 
cept the  entrance — now  opens  only  into  nothingness  and 
empty  space.  .  .  .  This  curiosity  occurs  in  a  wild 
part  of  the  river's  course,  and  in  a  solitude  of  moun- 
tains." '  Dr.  Wolfe  says:  "  The  summit  of  the  arch 
and  the  water-worn  pillars  upon  either  side  display 
'  pot-holes'  and  other  evidences  of  erosion,  and  in  the 
bed  of  the  current  lie  fragments  of  similar  attrite  rocks 
which  seem  to  indicate  that  at  some  period  a  series  of 
arches  spanned  the  entire  space  from  mountain  to 
mountain."  ^ 

Other  erosions  known  as  the  "  Twin  Cascades"  are 
found  on  the  eastern  slopes  of  Hoosac  Mountain,  above 
the  eastern  portal  of  the  Tunnel,  formed  ages  before 
the  Hoosac  Lake  rippled  in  the  "hollow  vale"  at 
North  Adams.  The  Natural  Bridge  of  the  Mayunsook 
Valley  is  one  of  the  greatest  natural  formations  in 
Berkshire  Highlands,  and  was  also  caused  by  erosions 
of  the  ice-currents  ages  ago. 

On  August  1 6th,  this  season,  a  great  landslide  oc- 
curred on  the  southern  brow  of  Grey  lock,  caused  by  a 
cloudburst.  It  began  within  a  few  feet  of  the  summit, 
widening  as  the  loosened  soil  slipped  oflf  the  bedrock 

'  Hawthorne,  American  Notes,  August  31,  1838. 
'  Dr.  T.  F.  Wolfe,  Literary  Shtines,  173,  1895. 


Cascade  and  Dellcws-Pipe      223 

of  the  mountain.  Ii  swept  down  with  velocity,  be- 
coming several  rods  wide  as  it  reached  the  valley. 
It  covered  Gould  Farm  with  earth,  rocks,  and  logs 
gathered  in  its  descent  to  South  Adams,  and  the  ma- 
chinery in  the  mills  in  the  village,  three  miles  away, 
was  crippled  by  the  sand  and  water  pouring  in  about 
the  engines;  the  streets  became  canals,  and  boats  were 
necessary  to  move  about  in.  However,  no  lives  were 
lost.  The  formation  rock,  from  the  base  of  Greylock, 
is  laid  bare  in  the  path  of  this  landslide.  Six  to  ten 
terraced  ridges,  like  stone  stairs,  are  revealed  in  the 
ascent  for  some  distance,  indicating  many  ages  in 
geological  history.  Here  is  evidence  of  those  slowly 
receding  seas  and  lakes  as  they  drained  from  the  sum- 
mits down,  stair  by  stair  to  the  winding  Ashuilticook 
River  of  to-day. 


XVIII 

THe  Natural  Bridge   of  MayunsooK 
Valley,  NortKern  BerKsKire 

There's  no  music  like  a  little  river's.  It  plays  the  same 
tune  (and  that's  the  favorite)  over  and  over  again,  and  yet  does 
not  weary  of  it  like  men  fiddlers. — Robert  Louis  Steven- 
son, Prince  Otto. 

A  NARROW  vale  winds  away  northeastward 
from  the  city  of  North  Adams  to  Stamford, 
Vermont.  A  short  walk  from  the  terminus 
of  the  car  line  in  The  Beaver  leads  to  the 
junction  of  Hudson  Brook  with  the  Mayunsook  River. 
The  Mayunsook  is  often  called  the  Little  Deerfield. 
It  is  the  North  Branch  of  the  Hoosac,  rising  near 
Stamford  Ponds,  and  draining  the  southern  and  western 
slopes  above  Stamford  Hollow.  The  Greater  Deerfield 
River  rises  also  near  these  lakes,  and  drains  the  same 
mountains  from  their  northern  and  eastern  slopes, 
flowing  around  through  Readsboro  to  Zoar,  where 
travellers  meet  it  as  they  pass  out  of  the  eastern  portal 
of  the  Hoosac  Tunnel  into  the  Deerfield  Valley.  Thus, 
from  their  mysterious  sources  our  turbulent  rivers  and 
mountain  streams  bring  restful,  cooling  news  from  out 
the  higher  lands,  where  scarce  the  foot  of  man  has  been. 
On  August  yth  I  explored  about  Natural  Bridge  on 
224 


MayunsooK  Valley  225 

Hudson  Brook.  I  wore  hob-nailed  boots,  and  made 
a  long  day's  excursion.  Hawthorne  knew  and  loved 
this  wonderful  natural  feature  of  northern  Berkshire, 
and  here  gathered  many  fancies,  which  he  has  woven 
into  his  tales.  The  chasm  of  Hudson  Brook  is  de- 
scribed as  the  "  Cave"  in  his  Notes.  His  description 
of  the  ravine  is  the  finest  ever  written. 

Hudson  Brook,  tradition  tells  us,  took  its  name  from 
the  hunter  Hudson,  who,  one  twilight,  dragging  home- 
ward a  deer  he  had  killed,  lost  it  in  this  chasm.  He 
narrowly  escaped  following  it  himself. 

The  region  is  entered  either  by  walking  up  the  bed 
of  the  stream  itself,  or  following  around  the  road 
above  Marble  Quarry,  just  east  of  the  chasm.  The 
former  is  the  more  direct,  but  the  latter  a  longer  and 
safer  way.  In  this  instance,  I  followed  the  travelled 
highway.  I  proceeded  up  the  stream  where  the  ero- 
sions begin,  and  readily  descended  the  ravine,  follow- 
ing its  course  downward  until  I  came  to  a  beautiful 
marble  basin  or  pot-hole  formation,  which  very  few 
see,  since  it  is  hidden  under  the  wooden  foot-bridge 
above  the  natural  bridge  of  rock.  Logs  and  immense 
rocks  barred  my  way,  and  I  was  forced  through  dark 
fissures  in  my  ascent  to  the  sunlight. 

The  pot-hole  was  evidently  the  same  pool  of  which 
Hawthorne  wrote:  "  As  the  deepest  pool  occurs  in  the 
most  uneven  part  of  the  chasm,  where  the  hollows  in 
the  sides  of  the  crag  are  deepest,  so  that  each  hollow  is 
almost  a  cave  by  itself,  I  determined  to  wade  through 
it     .     .     .     there  was  an  accumulation  of  soft  stufi"  on 


2  26        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

the  bottom,  so  that  the  water  did  not  look  more  than 
knee-deep;  but,  finding  that  my  feet  sunk  in  it,  I  took 
off  my  trousers  and  waded  through."  '  He  visited  this 
stream  often:  "The  cave  makes  a  fresh  impression 
upon  me  every  time  I  visit  it, — so  deep,  so  irregular, 
so  gloomy,  so  stern, — part  of  its  walls  the  pure  white 
of  marble, — others  covered  with  a  gray  decomposition 
and  with  spots  of  moss,  and  with  brake  growing  where 
there  is  a  handful  of  earth."  ^ 

Hawthorne  believed  firmly  that  "  a  complete  arch  of 
marble,  forming  a  natural  bridge  over  the  top  of  the 
cave,"  must  have  covered  the  whole  chasm  of  the 
stream  at  an  unknown  period.  The  pot-hole,  I  am 
most  certain,  has  been  forded  by  few  lads,  and  it  is 
hardly  probable  that  any  other  poet  or  prose  master 
ever  disrobed  and  bathed  in  its  waters  as  Hawthorne 
did  in  1838.  The  basin  is  from  six  to  eight  feet  deep, 
with  a  beautifully  rounded,  highly  polished  brim.  I 
christened  this  bowl  "  Hawthorne's  Bath-Tub,"  and, 
unable  to  wade  it,  climbed  out  of  the  ' '  Cave ' '  to  the 
light  above.  I,  however,  descended  again  to  see  the 
northern  portal  of  the  arch  below  the  Bath-Tub.  I 
was  interested  in  the  names  painted  high  and  low  upon 
the  marble  rocks.  Some  visitors  had  evidently  tried 
to  place  their  initials  as  high  as  possible,  while  others 
more  modest  sought  to  write  theirs  as  low,  and  in  more 
obscure  places.  I  regretted  that  I  had  not  brought  a 
pot  of  red  paint  and  a  brush  to  daub  my  own  title  there, 
with  the  ambitious  crowd. 

'  Hawthorne,  American  Notes,  July  31,  1838,  ''Ibid. 


MayunsooK  Valley  227 

The  stream,  as  it  approaches  the  arch  of  the  Bridge, 
is  deep  and  of  a  dark  green  color.  The  chasm,  from 
the  top  of  the  ledge,  is  about  sixty  feet  deep,  and  the 
ravine  three  hundred  feet  in  length.  Geologists  say- 
that  the  ravine  was  formerly  spanned  by  two  ledges  of 
rock,  one  of  which  is  now  in  ruins.  The  piles  of  rocks 
in  the  chasm  south  of  the  southern  portal  of  the  arch 
are  dazzling  white,  seen  in  the  noonday  sunshine.  The 
fall  of  water,  in  its  descent  through  the  ravine,  is  about 
forty  feet  to  the  three  hundred  feet,  so  that  the  eddies 
play  and  whirl  rapidly  through  the  irregular  bed.  A 
wooden  tile,  or  raceway,  was  hung  high  over  the 
chasm,  across  a  leaning  crag  of  the  original  ledge, — 
conveying  water  power  thereby  to  mills  below.  This 
old  structure  leaked,  and  as  I  descended  the  banks 
below,  I  saw  some  of  the  most  gorgeous  miniature 
rainbows  spanning  the  depths,  as  the  sunshine  fell 
upon  the  mist  near  the  arch. 

A  lad  once  made  a  wager  with  his  comrades  that  he 
could  cross  over  the  ravine  upon  this  wooden  tile. 
The  old  weather-worn  log  was  slippery  with  mould  and 
mosses.  In  making  his  daring  and  perilous  trip,  the 
youth  lost  his  footing,  and  fell  headlong  into  the  heart 
of  the  chasm.  Following  the  fall,  a  terrific  thunder- 
storm passed  through  the  Hoosac,  and  night  closed 
over  the  chasm.  The  next  morning  the  boy's  lifeless 
body  was  recovered.  The  wooden  structure  is  now  re- 
placed with  an  iron  tiling. 

I  passed  on  down  the  path  on  the  west  bank,  until  I 
reached  an  immense  marble  boulder,  which  was  draped 


2  28         Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

with  dainty  ferns  and  mosses.  Little  rivulets  flowed 
from  its  sides,  and  climbing  around  to  its  southern 
brow,  I  was  delighted  to  find  many  luxuriant  plants 
of  Walking  Ferns — this  making  the  fifth  excursion  in 
succession  in  which  I  had  found  this  rare  plant. 

I  entered  the  ravine  below  the  boulder,  and  picked 
my  way  up  the  chasm  to  the  southern  portal  of  the 
arch,  where  I  became  wet  through  from  the  mist  above, 
as  I  ventured  to  look  through  the  cave.  Returning, 
I  found  a  path  up  the  east  bank  leading  to  Marble 
Quarry  and  the  mill  below,  where  gravestones,  door- 
stones,  and  various  ornaments  are  manufactured.  The 
most  useful  piece  of  work  ever  turned  out  here  was,  in 
my  mind,  the  Williams  College  sun-dial  tablet,  which 
Hawthorne  observed  in  1838  as  being  as  large  as  the 
top  of  a  hogshead.'  I  have  later  discovered  that  this 
dial  was  placed  near  that  old  Astronomical  Observa- 
tory on  Consumption  Hill,  near  the  present  College 
Library, — the  first  building  of  its  kind  erected  in  the 
United  States,  for  the  study  of  the  worlds  above,  by 
Professor  Albert  Hopkins,  in  1838.  The  bronze  sun- 
dial was  supported  upon  the  marble  table  which  Haw- 
thorne saw  at  the  quarry.  Around  it  was  carved  in 
the  soft  marble  the  now  dim  inscription: 

"  HOW  IS  IT  THAT  YE  DO  NOT  DISCERN  THIS  TIME." 

This   dial    is   now   among   the   relics   in    the   College 
Museum. 
The  overhanging  crag,  near  the  southern  side  of  the 

'  Hawthorne,  American  Notes,  }n\y  31,  1838. 


The  Marble  Arch  of  the  Natural  Bridge.  North  Adams,  Massachusetts. 

"Our  ciwn  cmintry  furnishes  anti(iuities  as  ancient  and  durable,  and  as  useful, 
as  any;  rocks  at  least  as  well  covered  with  lichens,  and  a  soil  which,  if  it  is  virgin, 
is  but  virgin  mould,  the  very  dust  of  nature.  What  if  we  cannot  read  Rome,  or  Greece, 
Etruria,  or  Carthage,  or  Egypt,  or  Babylon,  on  these;  are  our  cliffs  bare?" — Thoreau. 


MayunsooK  Valley  229 

arch,  will  in  another  half-century  or  more  tumble  also 
into  the  ravine.  One  large  pine  tree  and  many  bushes, 
growing  on  this  leaning  tower,  are  plying  their  roots 
deeply  in  the  marble  fissures,  and  are  slowly  splitting 
the  rock  asunder,  I  have  designated  this  pile  Captain 
Skipper's  Monument,  in  memory  of  him  who  recorded 
the  last  evidences  of  the  Beaver  Dam  across  this  stream. 
Tradition  says  that  the  beavers  labored  centuries  be- 
fore the  white  man  arrived  in  the  Mayunsook  Valley, 
building  better  than  they  realized,  since  they  erected 
a  dam  which  stopped  the  rippling  flow  of  Hudson 
Brook.  Originally,  this  stream  flowed  nearer  the  sur- 
face of  the  Natural  Bridge,  It  is  believed  by  some 
that  the  dam  clogged  the  driftwood  from  the  domes, 
and  thus  set  the  waters  back.  The  force  of  the  eddies, 
combined  with  the  chemical  action  of  the  waters  whirl- 
ing among  the  logs  and  rocks,  eroded  dimples  in  the 
soft  marble,  until  they  wore  the  present  archway 
through, 

I  followed  down  the  bed  of  the  stream,  stepping 
from  rock  to  rock  easily,  until  I  reached  the  path  far 
below  the  Marble  Quarry,  and  entered  The  Beaver,  a 
little  village  where  every  one  works  like  the  small 
animals  for  which  it  is  named.  I  was  now  near  the 
junction  of  Hudson  Brook  and  the  Mayunsook;  and 
not  wishing  to  return  to  the  City  until  sunset,  I  scram- 
bled up  the  slippery  sides  of  the  hemlock  hills  above 
the  little  river.  With  the  echo  of  the  cavern's  tumult- 
uous roar  still  in  my  ears,  I  now  heard,  in  pleasant 
contrast,   the  distant  gentle  murmur  of  that  flowing 


230        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

stream.  When  I  departed  from  the  vales  of  these 
talking  streams,  I  carried  with  me  back  to  the  busy 
world  the  remembrance  of  the  voicing  fantasies  of 
their  songs  of  wilderness  and  solitude. 


XIX 

Orange  Moxitains,  and  Salt  Meadcws, 
Ne-w  Jersey 

The  weapous  with  which  we  have  gained  our  most  impor- 
tant victories,  which  should  be  handed  down  as  heirlooms  from 
father  to  son,  are  not  the  sword  and  the  lance,  but  the  bush- 
whack, the  turf-cutter,  the  spade,  and  the  bog-hoe,  rusted  with 
the  blood  of  many  a  meadow,  and  begrimed  with  the  dust  of 
many  a  hard  fought  field.— Thoreau,  Excursions. 

AUGUST  1 2th  I  started  for  the  Orange  Moun- 
tains, in  search  of  Cardinal  Flowers,  and 
various  other  blossoms,  which  I  hoped  to 
find  about  Eagle  Rock.  Arriving  at  those 
ragged  cliffs,  overhanging  the  brow  of  the  mountains 
above  West  Orange,  I  climbed  up  the  winding  stone 
stairs  and  entered  the  park.  The  woods  were  strewn 
with  small  yellow  flowers  and  ferns. 

The  view  from  the  Rock  is  vast,  as  the  eye  sweeps 
off  over  the  Great  Salt  Meadows  beyond  Newark,  to 
Brooklyn  Heights.  On  a  clear  day,  the  tall  buildings 
of  New  York  and  the  piers  of  Brooklyn  Bridge  are 
discernible.  The  Goddess  of  lyiberty  in  the  Bay  also 
stands  out  clearl}^  and  the  slow -moving  sails  and 
funnels  of  outgoing  steamers  are  visible.  Most  people 
seek  Eagle  Rock  for  this  view  alone. 

Farther  back  in  the  woods,  in  May  and  June,  the 
231 


232        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Pinxter-Flower,  False  Solomon's  Seal,  yellow  and  blue 
violets,  bluets,  and  anemone  everywhere  decorate  the 
rocky  soil.  Numerous  tall  weeds  towered  coarsely 
along  the  mountain-sides,  to-day  flaunting  their  dis- 
agreeable perfume  ever  before  me. 

I  followed  southwesterly,  along  the  summit  for  a 
mile  or  more,  to  Crystal  Lake,  passing  the  park  called 
"  Wildmont,"  to  the  right  of  which  stands  Cobble- 
stone Cottage.     The  building  appears  very  ancient. 

All  the  vast  solitudes  of  the  parks  of  Orange  Moun- 
tains are  locked  within  gates,  and  the  entrance  labelled, 
''No  Trespasshig,  Under  Penalty  of  the  Law^  Law 
is  a  specific  designation  for  a  certain  kind  of  a  broad- 
headed,  bow-legged  quadruped — a  thoroughbred  species 
not  mentioned  in  the  scientific  annals  of  the  Hoosac 
Highlands.  After  passing  the  lake,  I  followed  up  the 
swamp  toward  the  distant  walls  of  Wildmont,  very 
desirous  of  trespassing  and  seeing  the  Wild  Law  in  his 
cage.  Soon  I  found  a  place  where  the  stones  were 
tumbled  out,  and  where,  by  lifting  a  barbed  wire,  I 
could  crawl  through.  So  happily  and  leisurely  I  be- 
gan to  trespass  about  the  woods.  I  found  luxuriant 
colonies  of  the  Maiden  -  Hair  Fern,  tall  spirit  -  like 
spikes  of  feathery  flowers,  and  club-like  spikes  of 
fringed- purple  weeds  not  seen  in  the  Hoosac  Valley. 
They  were  so  common  that  I  did  not  gather  any,  so 
I  never  determined  their  title.  In  the  deeper  pools 
grew  a  few  plants  of  the  Skunk  Cabbage.  The  low 
bushes  and  plants  were  overgrown  and  coarse  in 
the  extreme,  amid  the  dense  shades  of  chestnut  and 


Jersey  Mountains  and  Meado-ws     233 

elm  trees.  The  forest,  apparently,  was  still  in  its 
primeval  state. 

As  I  approached  the  cottage  of  Wildmout,  I  ran 
upon  an  old  cellar  hole,  where  a  building  had  once 
stood.  The  ruins  were  now  prettily  covered  with 
myrtle  and  ivy.  From  this  site,  between  the  parting 
boughs,  I  caught  glints  of  a  sea  of  blues  in  the  valley 
of  the  Oranges,  which  was  overflowing  with  glistening 
house-tops  and  church-spires.  Here  I  turned  about 
and  found  a  great  colony  of  Indian  Pipes. 

As  I  turned  from  the  shades  of  Wildmont,  I  walked 
toward  Crystal  I^ake,  along  a  dry  brook  bed.  Here, 
indeed,  I  found  a  Cardinal  show;  over  a  hundred  spikes 
of  that  brilliant  flower  danced  before  my  eyes  and 
lighted  up  the  glooms.  I  had  never  before  seen  such 
flowers  as  these.  The  Cardinal-Flower  (^Lobelia  car- 
dinalis)  is  not  frequent  in  Hoosac  Valley — at  least  I 
have  never  collected  it  there.  John  Burroughs  writes 
of  it:  "It  is  not  so  much  something  colored  as  it  is 
color  itself."  '  I  gathered  many  spikes  of  this  flaring 
colored  flower,  and  passed  out  to  the  shore  of  the 
lake;  children,  with  their  sailboats,  ran  teasingly  after 
me,  until  I  escaped  to  a  quiet  retreat  where  ice-cream 
was  served.  The  waiter  and  the  children  alike  were 
strangely  unfamiliar  with  this  flower,  growing  so  close 
to  their  homes. 

I  passed  out  over  the  rocky  slopes  northward,  where 
I  ate  huckleberries  to  my  heart's  content.  The  ghost- 
like Feathery  Plumes,  and  common  Purple  Clubs  of  this 
'  Burroughs,  Rivcrby. 


234        Dog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

region  towered  everywhere  among  the  woods;  and  low 
beautiful  plants  of  the  Yellow  Gerardia  were  in  full 
bloom.  As  I  rounded  the  slope,  below  the  Rock,  I 
collected  a  fine  specimen  of  the  gorgeously  colored 
Orange  Butterfly-Weed,  or  Pleurisy-Root  {Asclepias 
tuberosa),  of  the  Milkweed  Family.  In  the  swamp 
farther  south  on  the  Orange  Mountains,  I  have  for- 
merly collected  the  Swamp  Milkweed  flowers,  which 
are  similar  to  Butterfly-Weed,  save  that  they  are  of  a 
delicate  rose-purple  color.  Our  common  species  north- 
ward is  the  Purple- Flowered  Silkweed.  It  grows  along 
our  roadside  walls  and  river  banks,  and  its  tender 
leaves  are  used  as  greens,  proving  very  delicious  food. 

I  sat  some  time  on  the  hillside  under  Eagle  Rock, 
recalling  the  various  flowers  collected  along  the  North- 
field  Road  the  year  past.  Llewellyn  and  Hutton  Parks, 
along  these  summits,  are  always  fragrant  with  blos- 
soms in  May  and  June.  I  once  spent  a  holiday  in 
Pleasant  Valley  beyond  St.  Cloud,  in  May  and  June, 
collecting  among  other  flowers  the  beautiful  Tulip-Tree 
blossoms  {Liriodendron  Tulipifera),  which  some  lads 
graciously  gathered  for  me. 

The  swamps  and  woods  about  this  vale  produce 
about  the  same  species  of  flowers  and  trees  as  the  hills 
of  Mosholu  and  Lowerre  above  New  York  City — marsh 
marigolds,  violets,  anemones,  dogwoods,  and  glowing 
apple  orchards  that  one  does  not  soon  forget.  One  rare 
flower,  however,  graces  the  Orlando  Williams  Swamp 
in  Pleasant  Valley  that  I  find  nowhere  else.  It  is  the 
Painted-Cup  {Castilleja  coccined)  of  the  Figwort  Family. 


The  Star-blossoms  of  the  Grass  of  Paranassus  (Paranassia  Carolinta).  and  the  Ladies- 
Tresses. 


Jersey  Mountains  and  Meadows     235 

It  is  very  similar  to  the  Scarlet  Painted- Cup  that 
Bryant  wrote  about  as  growing  on  the  prairies.' 

Frequently  country  folk  call  this  flower  Indian's 
Paint-Brush;  it  somewhat  resembles  a  clover  tuft 
daubed  with  vermilion.  The  species  found  in  New 
Jersey  and  Staten  Island  are  the  same.  Thoreau  found 
the  scarlet  tufts  of  the  Painted-Cup  '*  very  common  in 
the  meadows  "  on  Staten  Island  in  1843.'  The  Alpine 
Painted-Cups  of  the  White  and  Green  Mountains  are 
somewhat  difi'erent  from  the  species  found  southward 
and  westward.  A  friend  collected  flowers  of  these 
strange  plants  near  Woodmont  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Haven,  and  about  Marbledale,  Connecticut.  These 
are  typical  little  Figworts. 

The  lobelias,  gerardias,  milkweeds,  butter-and-eggs, 
Leopard's- Bane  (^Arnica  acaulis),  and  field  daisies 
are  common  in  the  pastures  and  woods  of  St.  Cloud 
and  Pleasant  Valley.  In  the  distant  swamps  the  Sweet 
Bay  Magnolia  {Magyiolia  Virginiand)  and  the  Tulip 
Tree  are  the  only  two  common  northern  species  of  the 
Magnolia  Family,  A  single  tulip  tree  is  found  in  the 
Hoosac  Valley,  at  North  Pownal.  Tulip  trees  are 
abundant  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  in  Bronx 
Park,  and  also  on  Orange  Mountains.  They  thrive 
especially  westward  and  southward,  where  they  become 
beautiful  flowering  trees — often  one  hundred  and  forty 
feet  high. 

As  I  came  down  the  Northfield  Road  from  St.  Cloud, 

'  Bryant,  The  Painted  Cup. 

'  Thoreau,  Letters.     To  Sophia  Thoreau,  May  22,  1S43. 


236        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

in  June,  1896,  I  found  the  pastures  full  of  blooming 
briar-roses,  and  the  meadows  waving  with  white  daisies 
and  golden  arnica.  The  latter  flower  is  replaced  in  the 
meadows  of  the  Hoosac  Highlands  by  great  patches  of 
the  Devil's  Paint-Brush  or  Orange  Hawk  weed  {Hiera- 
cium  aurantiaaivi),  an  emigrant  weed  from  Europe, 
which  is  very  pretty  and  fragrant.  The  Purple  Gerardia 
{Gerardia  purpurea),  the  Blue  Lobelias  {^Lobelia  syphi- 
litica), and  Lobelia  spicata  grow  abundantly  in  Pownal- 
on-the-Hoosac  in  June. 

As  I  passed  homeward  through  the  Salt  Meadows, 
beyond  Newark,  on  the  new  Plank  Road  to  Desbrosses 
Ferry,  I  began  to  observe  the  large  pink-purple  blos- 
soms of  the  Swamp  Rose-Mallow  {Hibiscus  Moscheutos) 
and  the  Marsh- Mallow  (.^////^«  qffici?ialis) ,  whose  roots 
contain  a  mucilaginous  substance,  and  which  are  closely 
allied  to  our  cultivated  hollyhocks.  I  soon  neared  an 
open  ditch  by  the  road,  filled  with  blossoming  Arrow- 
Head  {Sagittaria  latifolia)  and  Pickerel-Weed  {Ponte- 
deria  cordatd).  The  former  produces  beautiful  waxen 
white  flowers,  and  the  latter,  blue  spikes  of  ragged 
blossoms.  Not  far  from  this  mud-hole  on  the  dry, 
sandy  roadside,  I  gathered  the  rank-scented  Jimson- 
Weed  or  Thorn- Apple  {Datura  Stramonium),  a  poison- 
ous emigrant  weed  from  Asia,  whose  Arabic  name  was 
Tatorah.  It  is  common  everywhere  about  these 
regions  in  waste  ground,  as  well  as  along  Kings- 
bridge  Road  and  Old  East  Chester  near  the  City.  I 
have  also  observed  it  near  the  poor-house  in  New 
Haven,  but  never  in  the  Hoosac  Valley  region. 


Jersey  Mountains  and  Meadows     237 

The  Salt  Meadows  of  New  Jersey,  during  August  and 
September,  are  rolling  swales  of  tall  sedges  and  cat-tail 
grasses.  Later  in  the  season,  when  the  golden-rod  and 
purple  asters  are  frozen  and  brown,  and  thrown  in 
heaps  upon  the  ground  by  the  autumn  winds,  one 
may  see  great  flocks  of  geese,  and  the  comical  purple 
grackle — the  crow  blackbird — flying  southward  over 
these  desolate  lands.  A  deep,  weird  solitude  surrounds 
these  unfathomable  swamps.  The  foot  of  man  and  his 
bog-hoe  as  yet  have  never  penetrated  their  regions,  al- 
though within  hearing  of  Old  Trinity's  chimes. 

In  the  Hoosac  Valley  autumn  is  a  season  of  glory. 
Late  August  produces  the  gorgeous  colored  tiger  lilies. 
The  swampy  meadows  in  September  are  brightened 
with  the  delicate  greenish-white  stars  of  the  Grass-of 
Parnassus  {Parnassia  Caroliniana),  first  found  on  that 
ancient  Mount  Parnassus  in  Greece,  and  described  and 
named  by  Dioscorides  in  Christ's  day.  Innumerable 
asters  and  golden-rod  brighten  the  roadside  hedges.  In 
the  open  clearings  of  bushy  pastures  grows  the  Woolly 
Moonshine  —  the  "everlasting"  of  which  Thoreau 
wrote.  It  is  sometimes  called  Cud- Weed,  or  Balsam- 
Weed  {Gnaphaliiim  deairrens).  The  Pearly-Everlast- 
ing or  None-so- Pretty  {Anaphalis  margaritacea)  is 
peculiarly  fragrant  and  beautiful,  banked  in  among 
the  late  golden-rods,  and  the  crimson  and  chrome- 
colored  autumn  leaves  of  sumach  and  blackberry 
briars  against  the  dark  green  pines.  I  have  found 
these  flowers  unfolding  amid  the  snows  as  late  as  De- 
cember.    Late  spikes  of  Orchids,  the  Ladies'  Tresses 


238        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

of  genus  Gyrostachys,  the  Bitter-Buttons  or  Tansy-Weed 
{Tanacehim  vulgare),  numerous  thistles  {Carduus), 
the  velvety  leaves  of  St.  Peter's  Mullen  ( Verbascum 
Thapsus),  Wormwood  {Artemisia  Absinthium)  grow 
along  the  roadsides  over  Mount  CEta,  while  Thim- 
ble-Berry blossoms  and  the  Bluebells-of-New-England 
fill  in  the  waste  places  of  fences  and  dugaway  ledges. 

When  the  cooler  days  of  October  come,  we  may  look 
for  that  blue  flower  of  heaven,  the  Fringed  Gentian 
{Gentia7ia  crinitd),  along  the  roadsides  near  the  swamps 
of  Etchowog,  modestly  and  patiently  waiting  for  the 
autumnal  skies  of  blue: 

Then  doth  thy  sweet  and  quiet  eye 
Look  through  its  fringes  to  the  sky, 
Blue— blue— as  if  that  sky  let  fall 
A  flower  from  its  cerulean  well. ' 

So  come  and  fade  alike  the  rarest  flowers  and  the 
commonest  weeds  among  the  Highlands  of  the  Hoosac, 
the  valley  of  peaceful  waters. 

It  is  in  the  deepest  and  most  secluded  swamps  that 
the  shy  orchid  blooms,  far  beyond  the  realm  of  lawn  or 
garden.  Few  indeed  realize  what  a  world  of  beauty 
and  order  lies  sleeping  unsought  and  unseen  in  the 
mossy  recesses  of  our  mountains, — a  wonderland  of  dis- 
covery to  any  one  who  persistently,  though  reverently, 
seeks  to  lure  from  Nature  the  secrets  of  her  deep  re- 
treats. 

'  Bryant,  To  the  Fringed  Gentian. 


APPENDIX 


NEW  ENGLAND  ORCHIDS 


239 


Nature,  in  fact  that  parent  of  all  things,  has  produced  no 
animated  being  for  the  purpose  solely  of  eating  ;  she  has  willed 
that  it  should  be  born  to  satisfy  the  wants  of  others,  and  in  its 
very  vitals  has  implanted  medicaments  conducive  to  health. 
.  .  .  Cato  has  recommended  that  flowers  for  making  chap- 
lets  should  be  cultivated  in  the  gardens :  varieties  remarkable 
for  delicacy,  which  it  is  quite  impossible  to  express,  inasmuch 
as  no  individual  can  find  such  faculties  for  describing  them  as 
Nature  does,  for  bestowing  on  them  their  numerous  tints. 
Nature,  who  here  in  especial  shows  herself  in  a  sportive  mood, 
takes  a  delight  in  the  prolific  display  of  her  varied  productions. 
The  other  plants  she  has  produced  for  our  uses  and  our  nutri- 
ment, and  to  them  accordingly  she  has  granted  years,  and  even 
ages,  of  duration  ;  but  as  for  the  flowers  and  their  perfumes, 
she  has  given  them  birth  for  but  a  day — a  mighty  lesson  to 
man,  we  see,  to  teach  him  that  that  which  in  its  career  is  most 
beauteous  and  most  attractive  to  the  eye  is  the  very  first  to  fade 
and  die. 

Even  the  limner's  art  possesses  no  resources  for  reproducing 
colors  of  the  flowers  in  all  their  varied  tints  and  combinations, 
whether  we  view  them  in  groups  alternately  blending  their 
hues  or  whether  arranged  in  festoons,  each  variety  by  itself. — 
Puny,  Natural  History  {p-^rl^  a.d.). 


240 


OrcKidaceae 

Orchid  Family 

[In  compiling  the  appendix  of  New  England  Orchids,  the 
author  has  followed  the  order  of  classification  and  nomencla- 
ture adopted  by  Messrs.  Britton  and  Brown  in  the  Illustrated 
Flora  of  Northeastern  North  America,  1896,  without  doubt 
the  highest  and  most  systematic  arrangement  according  to  the 
progress  of  evolution  and  the  advancement  of  the  science  of 
botany  in  North  America.] 

Orchidace^,  lyindley,  Natural  System,  2d  ed.,  p.  336.     1836. 

Perennial  plants  arising  from  bulbs,  corms,  fibrous,  or  tuber- 
ous roots.  Stems  or  scapes  2  inches  to  3-4  feet  high.  Leaves 
parallel-veined,  sheathing,  and  plicate,  sometimes  reduced  to 
scales.  Flowers  perfect  or  irregular,  solitary  or  in  a  spiked 
raceme,  usually  subtended  by  a  leafy  bract.  Perianth  consists 
of  6  segments.  The  calyx,  or  outer  whorl,  consisting  of  3 
parts  (sepals) ;  the  corolla,  or  inner  whorl,  consisting  of  3 
parts  (petals).  The  third  petal  is  designated  labellum  (lip),  or 
nectary,  and  is  in  orchids  the  most  beautiful  part,  assuming 
grotesque  shapes  ornamented  with  spurs  and  fringes.  The 
staniens  and  pistils  are  variously  united  with  the  style,  forming 
an  unsymmetrical  column.  Anther,  i,  or  in  Cypripediuni  2; 
2-celIed.  Pollen  in  2-8  pear-shaped,  usually  stalked  masses 
{pollinia),  united  by  elastic  threads,  the  masses  waxy  or  pow- 
dery, attached  at  the  base  to  a  viscid  disk  (gland).  Stigma,  a 
viscid  surface,  facing  the  labellum  beneath  the  rostellum,  or  in 
a  cavity  between  the  anther-sacs  {dinandrium).  Seed-cap- 
sule (ovary)  inferior,  long  and  twisted,  3-angled,  i-celled. 
Ovules  minute,  spindle-shaped,  and  numerous ;  embryo  fleshy. 
The  colors  of  orchids  are  various  and  beautiful  ;  their  fragrance 
heavy  and  exquisite  in  several  species.  Orchids  were  known 
and  designated  by  Linnaeus  in  1753  as  Gytiavdrous,  meaning 
"  stamens  and  pistils  united  to  the  column."  There  are  about 
410  genera  and  from  6,000  to  10,000  species,  widely  distributed 
throughout  the  damp  and  wooded  regions  of  the  world.  More 
abundant  in  the  humid  atmosphere  of  the  tropics,  where  many 
species  are  air-plants  or  epiphytes.  The  orchids  of  the  tem- 
perate and  sub-arctic  regions  are  terrestrial,  drawing  their 
nourishment  from  the  earth. 

North  American  Orchids,  North  of  Mexico. . .  .150-160 

New  England  Orchids 48-56 

Hoosac  Valley  Orchids 40-42 

16 

241 


242        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

Genera  of  OrcHid  Family  in 
Ne'w  Cn^land 

Genera  XV.    Species  56. 

I.  Cypripedimn  Linnaeus,  1753—6  species. 
II.  Orchis  Linnaeus,  1753—2  species, 

III.  Habenaria  Willdenow,  1805 — 18  species. 

IV.  Foffonia  Jussieu,  1789—4  species. 

V.  Arethnsa  Linnaeus,  1753 — i  species. 
VI.  Gyrostachys  Persoon,  1807—6  species. 
'  (Spiranthes  Richard,  1818.) 
VII.  Listera  R.  Brown,  1813— 3  species. 
VIII.  /*<?ra/«/«;«  Salisbury,  18 12-4  species. 
'  {Goodyera  R.  Brown,  1813.) 
IX.  Achroanthes  Rafinesque,  1808 — 2  species. 

'  {Microstylis  Nuttall,  1818.) 
X.  Leptorchis  Thouars,  1808 — 2  species. 
'  {Liparis  Richard,  1818.) 
*XL   Ca/y/^o  Salisbury,  1807— i  species. 
XII.  Corallorhiza  R.  Brown,  1813 — 4  species. 
«XIII.   Tipularia  Nuttall,  1818— i  species. 
XIV.  Li)nodoruin  Linnaeus,  1753 — i  species. 

'  {Calopogon  R.  Brown,  1813.) 
« XV.  Aplecirum  Nuttall,  1818— i  species. 

I 
Cypripedixim 

Linnaeus,  1753 
Lady's  Swpper— Moccasin-Flower 

English— Lady's  Slipper. 

Latin —Calceolus  D.  Mariae,  or  Marianus, 

German — Frauenschub,  or  Marienschuh, 

French— Sabot  de  la  Vierge,  or  Soulier  de  Notre  Dame. 

Italian— Pontoffala,  or  Scarpa  della  Madonna. 

Algonquin  Indian — Mawcahsuu,  or  Makkasin-Flower. 

North  American— Indian  Moccasin-Flower. 

The  generic  name,  Cypripediutn,  comes  from  the  Greek,  re- 
ferring to  Kvitpii,  a  former  name  of  Venus,  the  Divine  Mother 
of  the  Romans  before  Christ,  and  noSi.ov,  signifying  sock,  or 
slipper. 

'  Former  generic  designations,  now  antedated. 
*  Genera  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


The  Fragrant  White  Moccasin-Flower.      n  'yrnr',-,ii:in:  M .'-,:. .n-.mt:   < 
This  species  is  a  native  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  region,  and  is  closely  related  to 
our  eastern  Fragrant  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper  (Cypripedium  parviflorum) ;  these  two 
Cypripediums  being  the  only  really  fragrant  species  on  the  continent. 


Appendix  243 

Glandular  pubescent  plants.  Anthers,  2.  Labellum  shoe- 
shaped,  or  conical.  Sepals  and  petals  similar  in  texture  ; 
lower  sepals  wholly  or  imperfectly  united  in  all  species  save 
C.  anetinum  R.  Brown.  Stem,  6  inches  to  3  feet  high. 
Flowers,  1-4  in  the  Atlantic  region  and  1-12  in  the  Pacific  re- 
gion ;  pendulous,  alternating  in  a  bracted  raceme.  Pollen 
granulose,  without  caudicie  or  glands.  Fragrance  heavy,  aro- 
matic, or  oily  save  in  two  exquisitely  sweet  species,  C.  par- 
viflorutn  Salisbury,  of  the  Atlantic  region,  and  C.  Montaniini 
Douglas,  of  the  Pacific  slope.  Leaves,  2-several,  plicate,  light 
green,  somewhat  resembling  Hellebore  foliage,  with  which 
plants  the  Cypripcdiunis  were  early  confused  by  the  ancient 
herbalists.  Roots  fleshy,  fibrous,  with  spicy,  oily,  or  musk- 
like odor,  used  as  a  nervine.  Seed-capsule  long,  three-angled  ; 
ovules  numerous,  minute,  resembling  saw-dust.  Seedlings 
frequent  in  many  stations.     About  50  species  for  the  world. 

Continental  Ran^e — Throughout  the  conifer  wooded  and 
bogland  regions  from  Alaska  southward  to  INlexico.    May-July, 

North  American  species 13 

New  England  species. . .    6 

Hoosac  Valley  species 5 

New  England  species  : 

1.  C.  arietinum  R.  Brown,  1813. 

2.  C.  regincB  Walter,  1788. 

(C  spectabile  Salisbury,  1791.) 

3.  C.  candidum  Willdenow,  1805. 

4.  C.  hirsutunt  Miller,  1768. 
{C.pubescetisV^iWdevLoy},  1805.) 

5.  C.  parvijlorum  Salishury,  1791. 

6.  C.  acaiile  Alton,  1789. 

I.— CYPRIPEDIUM  ARIETINUM  R.  Brown,  1813 

Ram's-Head  Lady's  Slipper— Ram's-Head  Moccasin- 
Flower 

The  specific  name,  arietinum,  refers  to  the  conical  labellum 
resembling  a  ram's  head. 

Small  conifer  ho^land.  or  damp  woodland  orchid,  with  fibrous 
roots.     Rare.     May  9th- August  ist. 

Flowers,  one,  terminal,  mottled  dull  purple  and  white. 
Labellum  conical,  yi-%  inch,  prolonged  at  the  apex  into  a  re- 
flexed  spur.  Sepals  all  free.  Petals  narrow,  similar  in  color, 
and  assuming  the  place  of  horns  to  the  ram's-head-shaped 
flower.  Stem  leafy,  6-12  inches  high.  Leaves,  34,  dark 
apple-green  ;  2-4  inches  wide,  smooth,  without  hairs.  Seed- 
capsule  prominently  ridged. 

Continental  Range— Vxoxn   Quebec,   Ontario    southward  to 


244        Do^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

North  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  Mt.  Toby,  Massachusetts; 
westward  to  Minnesota,  the  Great  Lake  region  being  the 
centre  of  distribution.    Limited  between  the  4oth-5oth  parallels. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rather  abundant;  New  Hamp- 
shire, rare;  Vermont,  abundant;  Massachusetts,  rare;  Con- 
necticut, very  rare. 

2.-CYPRIPEDIUM   REGIN^  Walter,  1788 
[Cypripedium  spectabile  Salisbury,  1791) 

White-Petaled,   or  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  —  Queen  oe 
The  Moccasin-Fi^owers 

The  specific  name,  regitics,  refers  to  the  queenly  appearance 
of  the  white-petaled  flowers. 

Large  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  Frequent. 
June  1 5th -July  4th. 

Flowers,  1-4  terminal,  large,  showy,  white,  tinged  with  deep 
pink  or  wine;  the  most  beautiful  species  among  our  native 
Cypripedimns.  Labellum  shoe-shaped,  inflated,  drooping 
margins  of  the  orifice  inflected,  crest  deeply  tinged  with  pink- 
purple  ;  interior  downy,  ornamented  with  lines  of  deeper  pur- 
ple. Rarely  pure  white  flowers  occur.  Sepals  and  petals 
similar,  pure  white  ;  2  lower  sepals  wholly  united  ;  side  petals 
narrower  than  sepals.  Stem,  1-3  feet  high.  Leaves,  5-7,  alter- 
nating to  top  of  stem  ;  3-7  inches  long,  clasping,  1-4  inches 
wide  ;  10-13  plaits  ;  strongly  pubescent,  produces  poisonous 
effect  to  susceptible  people  similar  to  that  caused  by  Rhus. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Nova  Scotia  southward  to  the 
higher  mountains  of  North  Carolina,  and  Huntsville,  Alabama  ; 
westward  to  Minnesota,  Walhalla  Mountains,  North  Dakota, 
and  the  Barrens  of  Kentucky. 

New  England  Range— Maine,  frequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent;  Vermont,  common;  Massachusetts,  common;  Rhode 
Island,  no  stations  reported  ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 

3.-CYPRIPEDIUM  CANDIDUM  Willdenow,  1805' 

Smael  White  Lady's  Slipper— The  Prairie  Moccasin- 
Feovv^ER 

The  specific  name,  candidum,  refers  to  the  white  labellum  of 
this  species. 

Small,  damp  swamp-land  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
Rare.     May  iith-June  29th. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
reported  for  Connecticut. 


The  Showy  Moccasin-Flower.     {Cypripcdium  regiiur.) 
This  is  the  most  gorgeous  Cypnpcdunn  in  the  world,  and  without  doubt  one  of  the 
niost  ancient  types  of  the  genus.     The  stigma  is  distinctly  three-lobed.     The  plate 

ttriL.  \"^^'' ,' k"',^'  "^  """  "^''"  '"P^^^  ^""^  P^*^^^  ^"^  'he  wine-colored  crest  of 
the  shoe-shaped  labellum.  as  well  as  the  highly  decorated  interior. 


Appendix  245 

Flowers  small,  solitary,  and  terminal.  Labellum  shoe- 
shaped,  white,  striped  with  purple  interiorly;  about  i  inch  long  ; 
orifice  small,  with  edges  inflected.  Sepals  and  petals  lanceo- 
late, greenish-brown  and  purple ;  lower  sepals  imperfectly 
united.  Stem  leafy,  6-12  inches  high,  pubescent.  Leaves. 
3-4,  sheathing,  erect,  crowded,  acute,  3-5  inches  long,  /^-i>2 
inches  wide,  several  scales  below,  7-9  nerved. 

Conlinetital  Range — From  Connecticut,  Pennsylvania  west- 
ward to  Indiana,  North  Dakota,  Columbia  Plains,  on  the 
Canadian  shore  of  St.  Clair  River,  to  the  Barrens  of  northern 
Kentucky,  and  Fort  Hill,  California,  which  station  appears 
doubtful;  more  central  distribution  being  from  central  New 
York  to  North  Dakota. 

New  England  Range — Recently  reported  for  Connecticut 
by  Mr.  A.  W.  Driggs,  of  East  Hartford. 

4.— CYPRIPEDIUM   HIRSUTUM    Miller,  176S 

{Cypripedium pubescens  Willdenow,  1805) 

Large  Ye;i,i,ow  Lady's  Slipper  —  Dow^ny  Yeli^ow^ 

MOCCASIN-Fl^OVl^ER 

The  specific  name,  hirsutum,  refers  to  the  whole  plant  being 
hirsute,  or  clothed  with  hairs. 

Large  bogland  or  damp  mountainside  orchid,  with  fleshy- 
fibrous  roots.     May  igth-June  15th. 

Flowers  dull  chrome  yellow,  1-3,  terminal,  shoe-shaped,  i-2|^ 
inches  long.  Labellum  shoe-shaped,  inflated,  convex  above, 
chrome  yellow,  edges  of  orifice  inflected,  lined  with  downy 
hairs  and  dotted  lines  of  carmine.  Sepals  and  petals  graceful, 
petals  very  much  twisted ;  lower  sepals  imperfectly  united  ; 
siskin-green  and  brown-purple.  Stem  leafy  to  top,  i-2)4  feet 
high,  pubescent.  Leaves,  usually  5,  broadly  ovate,  3-5  inches 
long,  i>^-3  inches  wide  ;  7-9  nerved  ;  plicate  and  hirsute,  said 
to  cause  poisonous  irritation  similar  to  Rhus.  Roots  used  as  a 
nervine.' 

Continental  Range — From  the  wooded  country  of  the  sub- 
arctic lands  in  latitude  54°-64°  North,  southward  throughout 
Canada,  New  England,  to  Alabama  ;  westward  to  North 
Dakota,  Colorado,  slightly  beyond  the  Continental  Divide  in 
the  Rocky  Mountain  region. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common;  Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  abundant;  Rhode 
Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

'  Nicholson's  III.  Did.  and  Card.  Ency.  Hort.  Card.  Kew, 
1887. 


246        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

5.— CYPRIPEDIUM  PARVIFLORUM  Salisbury,  1791 

Smai,!.  YE1.LOW  Lady's  Supper— Fragrant  Yeli-ow  Moc- 
casin-Flower 

The  specific  name,  parviflorum,  refers  to  the  small  flower  of 
this  species. 

Small  bogland  or  damp  hillside  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous 
roots.     May  igth-July  4th. 

Flowers  small,  yellow,  solitary,  and  terminal.  Often  inter- 
grades  with  larger  yellow  species— (C  hirsutum);  fragrant,  the 
only  Cypripediiim  in  the  Atlantic  region  especially  so.  La- 
bellum  small  \-\\  inch  long,  shoe-shaped,  drooping  lemon- 
yellow,  lined  with  downy  hairs  and  dotted  lines  of  carmine. 
Sepals  and  petals  brownish-purple,  similar  in  texture;  sepals  2 
inches  long,  graceful,  twisted,  lower  ones  imperfectly  united; 
petals  glossy  and  twisting  exceedingly.  Stem  leafy,  slender, 
pubescent,  1-2  feet  high.  Leaves  lanceolate,  3-5  inches  long 
and  i-2|  inches  wide,  pubescent,  7-9  nerved;  not  so  villose  as 
C.  hirsutmn  Miller.  Said  to  produce  poisonous  effect  similar 
to  Rhus. 

Continental  Ranp;e — In  company  with  other  species  of  New 
England  Cypripedium;  from  Newfoundland,  British  Columbia, 
southward  to  Georgia;  westward  to  the  sub-humid  regions  of 
Kansas,  extending  slightly  over  the  Continental  Divide  in 
Rocky  Mountain  region.    Ascends  4000  feet  altitude  in  Virginia. 

New  England  Range  —  Maine,  frequent;  New  Hampshire, 
infrequent;  Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  frequent;  Rhode 
Island,  not  reported;  Connecticut,  rather  rare. 

6.— CYPRIPEDIUM  ACAULE  Alton,  1789 

Two-Leaved  Lady's  Supper  — Stemless  Pink  Moccasin- 
Flower 

The  specific  name,  acaiile,  refers  to  the  lowly  and  humble 
(acaulescent),  growth  of  the  species,  since  the  flower  is  stemless, 
arising  from  a  short  or  subterranean  stem. 

Sphagnous  bogland,  conifer  or  mixed  woodland  orchid  with 
fleshy-fibrous  roots.     May  igth-June  20th.     • 

Flowers  large,  pink-purple,  solitary,  terminal,  stemless.  La- 
bellum  shoe-shaped,  2-2^  inches  long,  bi-lobed,  pendulous, 
with  closed  fissure  down  its  whole  length,  edges  inflected, 
downy  interiorly  ;  pink-purple  with  darker  veining  of  purple. 
(Rarely  pure  white  flowers  occur,  with  crome  yellow  sepals  and 
petals. )    Sepals  and  petals  brown-purple  and  green,  shorter  than 


•  4#  ^ 


W  ^ 


The  Pink  Moccasin-Flower  -  The  Stemless  Lady 's-SHpper.     (Cypripcdimn  cicauk. ) 
Showing  the  structure  ui  the  ,.enduIous  and  bi-lobed  labellum,  and  the  processes 
of  the  sepals  and  petals.     The  lower  sepals  are  wholly  united  in  this  species, and  less 
grace  or  undulation  appears  than  in  the  Yellow  Cvpripediums. 


Appendix  247 

labellum  ;  two  lower  sepals  wholly  united.  Stem  very  short, 
obscured  by  the  basal  leaves.  Scape  naked,  8-18  inches  high, 
single-flowered,  terminal.  Few  instances  where  two  flowers  or 
buds  in  embryo  have  occurred.  Leaves  2,  sheathing  the  base 
of  peduncle,  oblanceolate  3-5  nerved,  hirsute  and  thickened  ; 
6-8  inches  long,  2-3  inches  wide,  resembling  the  leaves  of 
Orchis  spedabilis  Linnaeus. 

Continental  Range — From  Newfoundland,  and  Fort  Franklin, 
in  latitude  54"-64 '  North  ;  southward  to  Lookout  Mountain, 
Mentone,  and  Cullman,  Alabama  ;  westward  to  northern  In- 
diana, Minnesota,  and  Kentucky. 

New  England  Range  —  Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common;  Vermont,  abundant;  Massachusetts,  abundant;  Rhode 
Island,  common;  Connecticut,  common. 


II 

OrcKis 

Linnaeus,  1753 

Showy  Orchis 

The  generic  name.  Orchis,  refers  to  opxf^,  the  son  of  a  rural 
deity  of  classical  mythology,  in  whose  memory  these  flowers 
were  designated. 

Plants  with  biennial  roots.  Anther  i.  Labellum  connate 
with  base  of  the  column  ;  produced  below  into  a  spur.  Sepals 
separate,  free  to  the  base,  similar  in  texture  to  the  petals.  Flow- 
ers small,  delicate  white  and  rose-purple,  fragrant ;  in  a  short 
terminal  spike.  Anther-sacs  divergent ;  poUinia  granulose, 
I  in  each  anther-sac,  which  is  attached  at  the  base  to  a  viscid 
disk  or  gland.  Glands  enclosed  in  a  pouch.  Stem,  scape-like, 
5-angled,  4-12  inches  high.  Leaves  2,  oblong-obovate,  shin- 
ing, basal,  with  several  bracts  above.  Roots  fleshy-fibrous  or 
tuberous. 

Continental  Range — There  are  three  reported  species  of  this 
genus  for  the  Continent.  Orchis,  as  a  genus,  contains  80  or 
more  species  ranging  throughout  the  temperate  regions,  of 
Europe,  Asia,  Northern  Africa,  Canaries,  and  North  America. 

North  American  species 3 

New  England  species 2 

Hoosac  Valley  species I 

New  England  species  ; 

1.  O.  spectabilis  Linnaeus,  1753. 

2.  O.  rotundifolia  (Pursh)  Liudley,  1814-1835. 


248        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

I.— ORCHIS  SPECTABIUS  Linnaeus,  1753 

Showy  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  spedabilis,  refers  to  the  beautiful  spectacle 
of  a  group  of  these  plants  in  bloom. 

Small,  damp  woodland  orchid  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  April 
igth-June  19th. 

Flowers  fragrant,  about  i  inch  long,  violet-purple  mixed  with 
rose-purple  and  white  ;  3-6  flowered  in  a  bracted  raceme. 
Labellum  divergent,  attached  to  a  spur,  purple  and  white. 
Sepals  and  petals  arching  in  a  galea.  Glands  enclosed  in  a 
pouch  or  hooded  fold.  Stem,  scape-like,  4-12  inches  high, 
thick,  5-angled.  Leaves  2,  basal  with  1-2  scales  below,  and 
foliaceous  bracts  above  sheathing  the  seed-capsules. 

Continental  Range — From  New  Brunswick,  Ontario,  south- 
ward to  Georgia  and  Alabama  ;  westward  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains.    Ascends  4000  feet  altitude  in  Virginia. 

New  England  Range  —  Maine,  rare;  New  Hampshire,  fre- 
quent; Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  frequent;  Rhode 
Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  common. 


2.— ORCHIS  ROTUNDIFOLIA  (Pursh)  Lindley,  1814-1835  > 
Smali,  Round-Leaved  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  rofundifolia,  refers  to  the  round  leaf  of  this 
species. 

Small  woodland  or  sphagnous  bogland  orchid  with  fleshy- 
fibrous  roots.    June  loth-July. 

Flowers  white,  rose-purple,  flecked  with  deeper  purple, 
>^-%  inch  long,  subtended  by  bracts ;  raceme  2-6  flowered. 
Labellum  3-lobed,  white,  purple-spotted,  longer  than  petals, 
central  lobe  largest,  two-lobed  or  notched  at  the  summit ;  spur 
slender,  shorter  than  labellum.  Sepals  and  petals  oval,  rose- 
color.  Glands  enclosed.  Stem  slender,  8-10  inches  high.  Leaf 
I  near  the  base,  orbicular  or  oval,  1^-3  inches  long,  and  1-2 
inches  wide,  sheathing  scales  below. 

Continental  Range  —  Rare ;  from  Greenland,  southward 
throughout  Canada,  in  latitude  55°-56°  North  in  British  Colum- 
bia, Rocky  Mountain  region  to  Bristol  Swamps,  Addison 
County,  Vermont,  and  Norfolk,  Connecticut  (?). 

New  England  Range— Ma\n.Q,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare ; 
Vermont,  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  not  reported  ;  Rhode  Island, 
not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  doubtfully  reported. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


The  Showy  Orchis.      (Orchis  spectahilis.) 
The  first  orchis  of  the  season,  showing  the  hooded  fold  above  the  orifice  of  the  spur 
and  the  processes  of  the  flowers  on  the  bracted  scape 


Appendix  249 

III 
Habenaria 

Willdeuow,  1805 
REIN  Orchis— Naked  Gi,and  Orchis 

The  generic  name,  Habenaria,  comes  from  habena,  a  thong 
or  rein. 

Leafy-stemmed  plants.  Anther  i.  Glands  naked.  La- 
bellum  spreading  or  drooping,  with  a  spur  at  base.  Sepals 
and  petals  free,  similar  in  structure  and  color.  Anther-sacs 
parallel ;  poUinia  without  caudicles,  powdery  or  granulose. 
Flowers  mostly  in  a  spiked  raceme,  various  in  colors,  orna- 
mented with  spurs,  fringed  petals  and  throats.  Fragrance  deli- 
cate and  exquisite  in  several  species.  Leaves  i-many,  lanceo- 
late, becoming  bract-like  above.  In  two  species — H.  orbiculata 
(Pursh)  Torrey  and  H.  Hookeriana  A.  Gray— the  leaves  are 
orbicular  and  basal,  with  or  without  bracts  above.  Roots  thick, 
fibrous,  tuberous  or  palmate.  Seedlings  appear  numerous  in 
many  stations. 

Continental  Range— A.  genus  containing  about  450-500 
species  for  the  world,  widely  distributed  in  temperate  and 
tropical  regions  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  America.  There  are 
50-55  species  on  the  continent  of  North  America  north  of 
Mexico. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 50-55 

New  England  species 18 

Hoosac  Valley  species 13-16 

New  England  species : 
I    H.  orbiculata  (Pursh)  Torrey,  1814-1826. 

2.  H.  Hookeriana  A.  Gray,  1836. 

3.  H.  oblongifolia  (Paine)' Niles,  1865-1903. 

4.  H.  obtusaia  (Pursh)  Richardson,  1814-1823. 

5.  H.  hyperborea  (Linnaeus)  R.  Brown,  1767-1813. 

6.  H.  media  (Rvdberg)  Niles,  1901-1903. 

7.  H.  dilatata  (Pursh)  Hooker,  1814-1825. 

8.  //./m^raw^  (Rydberg)  Niles,  1901-1903. 

9.  H.  bracteata  (Willdenow)  R.  Brown,  1805-1813. 

10.  H.  clavellata  (Michaux)  Sprengel,  1803-1826. 

11.  H.flava  (Linnaeus)  A.  Gray,  1753-1840. 

12.  H.  ciliaris  (Linnaeus)  R.  Brown,  1753-1813. 

13.  H.  blephariglottis  (Willdenow)  Torrey,  1805-1826. 
14."//.  holopctala  (Liudley)  A.  Gray,  1835-1867. 

15.  H.  lacera  (Michaux)  R.  Brown,  1803-1810. 

16.  H.  grandiflora  (Bigclow)  Torrey,  1824-1826. 

17.  H.  psycodes  (Linnius)  A.  Gray,  1753-1840. 
iS.  H.  Andrewseii  Whiten,  sp.  (per  letter,  1903). 


250        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

I.— HABENARIA  ORBICULATA  (Pursh)  Torrey,  1814-1826 

Large    Round-Leaved  Orchis— Heai.-Ai<i< — Shin- 
Pilasters 

The  specific  uame,  orbiculata,  refers  to  the  round  or  orbicular 
leaves  of  this  plant. 

Tall  spiked  woodland  orchid,  with  thick  fibrous  roots.  June 
lyth-July  I5th-August  5th. 

Flowers  greenish-white,  many  in  spiked  raceme.  Labellum 
oblong-linear,  white,  spur  long.  Sepals  and  petals  ^  to  ^  as 
long  as  labellum.  Sepals  spreading,  petals  smaller.  Stem  or 
scape  1-2^  feet  high,  braded,  occasionally  producing  one 
small  stem-leaf.  Leaves  2,  basal,  large,  round,  flat-lying,  4-7 
inches  in  diameter. 

Continental  Range — Not  uncommon,  but  scarcely  abundant, 
from  Newfoundland,  British  Columbia,  Lake  Superior,  south- 
ward to  the  western  mountains  of  North  Carolina  ;  westward  to 
Montana,  Idaho,  and  Washington. 

New  England  Ratige— Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common;  Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  occasional;  Rhode 
Island,  not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  rather  rare. 

2.— HABENARIA  HOOKERIAN^  A.  Gray,  1836 
Smali,  Round-Leaved  Orchis— Hooker's  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  Hookeriana,  refers  to  Sir  J.  Hooker,  who 
studied  this  orchid  and  in  whose  honor  Dr.  Gray  designated  it. 

Damp,  hilly  woodland  orchid  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  June 
loth-August  22d. 

Flowers  many,  subtended  by  small  bracts  in  spiked  raceme, 
yellowish-green ;  spike  4-8  inches  long.  Labellum  linear- 
lanceolate,  acute  Yi-Yi  inch  long.  Sepals  and  petals  greenish, 
spreading  ;  petals  awl-shaped  ^inch  long.  Stem  8-18  inches 
high,  not  braded.  Leaves  2,  oval,  obovate,  or  orbicular,  slightly 
ascending,  3-6  inches  long. 

Continental  Range— Vxoxa  Nova  Scotia,  Lake  Huron,  Lake 
Superior,  southward  to  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  westward 
to  Indiana,  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  and  Iowa. 

New  England  Range— Maine,  common ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent;  Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  occasional; 
Rhode  Island,  rare ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

3.— HABENARIA  OBLONGIFOLIA  (Paine)  Niles,  1865-1903 
Smai^i.  Obi,ong-Leaved  Orchis 
The  specific  name,  oblongifolia,  refers  to  the  oblong  leaves. 
Damp,  hilly  woodland  orchid  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  June- 
August. 


A  Group  of   Three  Species  of   Genus  Habenaria.     i.  The  Tall  Northern  Green  Orchis. 

(HLibi-nciria  hypcrborci.)     2.  The  Tall  Northern  White  Orchis.    (Hubeitarm  dtlatata.) 

3.  The  Large  Round-Leaved  Orchis.      (Habenaria  orbKitlala.) 


Appendix  251 

Flowers  many  in  spiked  raceme,  yellowish-green  similar  or 
identical  with  the  spike  of  flowers  of  H.  Hookeriana.  Stem 
8-18  inches  high,  not  braded.     Leaves  2,  oblong,  ascending. 

Continental  Range — In  similar  situations  with  H.  Hookeriana 
and  H.  orbiculata,  from  Nova  Scotia  (Macoun)  Campbellton, 
New  Brunswick,  (Chalmers),  Chelsea  Mountains,  Quebec 
(Fletcher's  Flora,  Ottawa);  southward  to  New  York  (Paine  and 
Dudley),  New  Jersey  (Mrs.  Britton),  and  throughout  New  Eng- 
land States  ;  westward  to  Iowa. 

4.— HABENARIA  OBTUSATA  (Pursh)  Richardson,  1814-1823  ' 
SuB-AivPiNE  Greenish  Bog-Orchis 

The  specific  name,  obtusata,  refers  to  the  obtuse  or  blunt 
sepals  and  labellum  of  this  species. 

Small  sub-alpine  bogland  orchid,  with  fibrous  roots.  June 
22d-July  3oth-September. 

Flowers,  greenish-yellow  in  loose  spiked  raceme  1-2^^  inches 
long ;  flowers  )i  inch  long.  Labellum  blunt  or  obtuse,  de- 
flexed,  entire.  Lateral  sepals  spreading,  oblong  and  obtuse. 
Petals  shorter,  obtusely  2-lobed  at  base.  Stem  slender,  not 
traded,  4-10  inches  high,  4-angled.     Leaf  i,  basal,  obovate. 

Continental  Range  — 'From  Alaska,  southward  throughout 
Canada  to  Mt.  Wachusett,  Massachusetts ;  westward  to  Minne- 
sota, W3'oming,  Montana,  and  Colorado. 

Nezf  England  Ra?tge— Maine,  frequent  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent  ;  Vermont,  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  very  rare  ;  Mt. 
Wachusett  (Dr.  G.  E.  Stone) ;  Mt.  Washington  (Henry  Bald- 
win) ;  Rhode  Island,  not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  not  reported. 

5.— HABENARIA  HYPERBOREA  (Linnaeus)  R.  Brown,  1767- 

1813 

Tai.1.  Green  Northern  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  hyperborea,  refers  to  the  species  being  tall 
and  a  boreal  or  northern  orchid. 

Cold  bogland  or  damp  woodland  orchid,  with  thick  fleshy 
roots.     May  3oth-July  28th-August  i8th. 

Flowers  small,  greenish-yellow,  on  bracted  spike  3-8  inches 
long;  infrequent,  said  to  be  constructed  for  self-fertilization, 
if  insects  fail  to  visit  the  flowers.  Labellum  lanceolate,  obtuse, 
and  entire.  Sepals  and  petals  obtuse,  ovate,  ^-^  inch  long  ; 
upper  sepal  crenulate  at  apex.  Stem  tall,  stout,  leafy,  8  inches 
to  3  feet  high.  Leaves  mauj^  lanceolate,  acute.  Seed-capsule 
much  twisted. 

'  Doubtfully  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


252        Dog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Greenland,  Yakutat  Bay  and  east- 
ern part  of  Kadiak  Island  and  vicinity  of  Sitka,  Alaska,  to 
Fort  Franklin  ;  southward  to  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  ; 
■westward  to  Minnesota,  Montana,  Washington,  New  Mexico, 
and  California.  This  species  is  closely  allied  with  the  Tall 
White  Fragrant  Bog-Orchis  (//.  dilatata).  The  latter,  however, 
is  not  constructed  for  self-fertilization.  Several  species  oiHabe- 
naria  appear  to  intergrade  with  each  other  more  or  less 
throughout  their  range. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent;  Vermont,  abundant;  Massachusetts,  infrequent; 
Rhode  Island,  not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

6.-HABENARIA   MEDIA   (Rydberg)   Niles,    1901-1903  ' 

Intermediate  Bog-Orchis 

The  specific  name,  media,  refers  to  the  intermediate  form  of 
this  species  between  H.  hyperborea  and  H.  dilatata. 

A  tall  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy  roots.    June-August. 

Flowers  greenish-purplish,  spike  densely  flowered  ;  it  has 
often  been  confused  with  H.  hypberborea  and  H.  dilatata, 
which  it  closely  resembles.  Type  specimen  from  Quebec. 
Labellum  lanceolate,  entire,  obtuse,  slightly  dilated  at  the 
base  ;  spur  exceeding  the  labellum,  curved  and  obtuse.  Sepals 
ovate-oblong;  petals  lanceolate,  obtuse.  Stem  16  inches  2}^ 
feet  high,  rather  stout.  Leaves  lanceolate,  acute.  Seed-cap- 
sule =/5  inch  long. 

Continefttal  Range — In  bogs  from  Quebec,  southward  to 
New  York  and  New  England. 

New  Ejigland  Range — There  are  no  authoritative  stations 
reported  as  yet,  although  the  author  collected  intermediate 
forms  oi  H.  hyperborea  in  Dimmick  Swamp,  Pownal,  Vermont, 
July,  1903,  answering  to  Dr.  Rydberg's  descriptions  of  this 
form.  It  is  also  reported  by  Marcus  White  and  A.  Le  Roy 
Andrews  for  Pownal  Swamps'.'^ 

7.— HABENARIA   DILATATA   (Pursh)   Hooker,    1814-1825 
TAI.L  White  Northern  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  dilatata,  refers  to  the  dilated  condition  of 
the  labellum  of  this  orchid. 

A  tall  slender  or  stout  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  or 
tuberous  roots.     June  2d-August  23d. 

'  Doubtfully  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  but  should 
be  looked  for  wherever  H.  hyperborea  grows. 
'A.  L.  Andrews,  Rhodora,  4:  79-81,  1902. 


The  Spikes  of  Habenaria.     (Habciiaria  Aiidrcwseii  and  Habciiaria  psycodes.) 


Appendix  253 

Flowers  white,  small,  in  a  densely  flowered  spike  2-10  inches 
long.  Slightly  fragrant.  Not  constructed  for  self-fertilization 
as  the  closely  allied  species  H.  hyperborea.  Labellum  entire, 
dilated,  or  obtusely  3-lobed  at  base.  Spur  blunt  and  incurved. 
Sepals  ovate,  obtuse,  and  small.  Stem  slender,  often  stout, 
inferring  that  an  intermediate  form  exists,  which  Dr.  Rydberg 
has  designated  specifically  as  fragrans.  Leaves  lanceolate. 
Seed-capsule  much  twisted. 

Continental  Range — From  Ankow  River,  Ocean  Cape, 
Alaska,  and  Unalaska  in  latitude  60'  North  ;  southward  to 
Litchfield,  Connecticut,  Amherst,  Massachusetts,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  westward  to  Minnesota,  Wyoming,  Colorado,  also  oc- 
curring in  the  canons  of  Clear  Water  Valley,  Idaho. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent;  Vermont,  frequent;  Massachusetts,  infrequent; 
Rhode  Island,  not  reported;  Connecticut,  rare. 


8.— HABENARIA  FRAGRANS  (Rydberg)   Niles,  1901-1903  ' 

Fragrant  Slender  Bog-Orchis 

The  specific  na.m^^  fragrans,  refers  to  the  exquisite  fragrance 
of  this  species,  which  is  so  closely  allied  with  H.  dilatata  and 
of  which  it  appears  to  be  a  form. 

Slender  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.    July. 

Flowers  small,  pure  white,  very  fragrant  ;  in  a  slender 
spiked  raceme.  Labellum  narrowly  linear,  dilated  at  the  base, 
obtuse,  shorter  than  the  curved  filiform  spur ;  otherwise  as  the 
preceding  species.  Sepals  lanceolate,  acutish,  strongly  striate. 
Stem  very  slender  and  leafy  above,  8-12  inches  high.  Leaves 
linear,  several. 

Continental  7?aw^<?— Reported  from  a  single  station  in  Ver- 
mont. Slender  forms  of//,  dilatata,  very  fragrant  and  slightly 
so,  are  present  in  the  bogs  of  Pownal,  Vermont,  and  North 
Adams,  Massachusetts,  where  the  writer  has  collected  them, 
believing  that  they  were  forms  brought  about  by  the  inter- 
grading  of  the  bogland  Habenarias  closely  associated.  Species 
oi  Ha  ben  aria  appear  to  produce  natural  hybrids  readily.* 

New  England  Range— Vermont. 


'  Doubtfully   reported   for  Hoosac  Valley   region,    although 
native  of  Vermont. 
*  A.  L.  Andrews,  Rhodora,  4  :  79-Si,  1902. 


2  54        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

9.— HABENARIA  BRACTEATA  (Willdenow)  R.  Brown,  1805- 
1813 

Long  Bracted  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  bradeata,  refers  to  the  long  bracts,  sub- 
tending the  seed-capsules  of  this  species. 

A  slender  bracted  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
May  Sth-July  I4th-August  12th. 

Flowers  small,  greenish,  in  a  loosely  flowered  spike,  3-5 
inches  long,  subtended  by  long  bracts.  Labellum  long,  spatu- 
late  2-3  toothed  or  lobed,  twice  as  long  as  sac-like  spur.  Sepals 
ovate-lanceolate,  spreading,  dilated,  at  base;  petals  very  nar- 
row, thread-like.  Stem  leafy,  slender,  or  stout,  6  inches  to  2 
feet  high.     Leaves  lanceolate,  oval. 

Continental  Range— Vxova.  Sitka  and  Unalaska  to  the  Great 
Plains,  approaching  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  latitude  55°  North; 
southward  throughout  New  England  to  North  Carolina;  west- 
ward to  Minnesota,  North  and  South  Dakota,  and  Montana. 

New  Ens^land  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  frequent ;  Rhode 
Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  rather  rare. 


10.— HABENARIA  CLAVELLATA  (Michaux)  Sprengel,  1803- 
1826 

Smai,!,  YeIvI.owish  Bog-Orchis — Smai,l  Wood-Orchis 

The  specific  name,  clavellata,  refers  to  the  club-shaped  ap- 
pendages of  stigma  or  clavate  spur  attached  to  the  flowers 
of  this  species. 

A  small  bogland  or  woodland  orchid,  with  fibrous  roots. 
May    17th    (Missouri),     June    (Alabama) ;     July    I5th-August 

(Maine). 

Flowers  small  greenish-yellow,  in  a  loosely  flowered  spike 
Yz-i  inches  long.  Labellum  dilated,  3-toothed  at  apex;  spur 
longer  than  ovary,  clavate.  Sepals  and  petals  ovate.  Stem 
8-18  inches  high.     Leaf  i,  near  the  base,  1-3  bracts  above. 

Continental  Range — From  Lake  Huron,  Newfoundland, 
southward  to  Alabama ;  westward  to  Indiana,  and  Missouri. 
Ascends  6000  feet  altitude  in  North  Carolina. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  frequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent ;  Vermont,  infrequent ;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  frequent ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 


The  Small  Bog.     {Habcnaria  clavcllala.) 


-Appendix  255 

II.— HABENARIA  FLAVA  (Linnseus)  A.  Gray,  1753-1840 
TuBERci^ED  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  flava,  comes  from  the  Latin  flavous,  re- 
ferring to  the  yellow  flowers  of  this  orchid. 

A  damp  meadow  or  sphagnous  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy- 
fibrous  roots.  May  (Florida),  June  5th-August  25th  (New 
England). 

Flowers  dull  greenish-yellow,  small,  in  a  spiked  raceme. 
Labellum  entire,  crenulated  with  obtuse  tooth  on  each  side, 
and  a  central  tubercle  at  middle  of  base.  Sepals  and  petals 
roundish,  ]^  inch  long.  Sepals  yellowish.  Stem  stout  leafy 
1-2  feet  high.  Leaves  elliptic,  acute;  bracts  longer  than  seed- 
capsule. 

Continental  Range— Vxovsx  Crow  River,  Hastings  County, 
Ontario,  Canada,  southward  to  Alabama  and  the  wooded  Tidal 
Swamps,  Duval  County,  Florida  ;  westward  to  Minnesota  and 
Missouri. 

New  England  /?ang-e— Maine,  common ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent ;  Vermont,  infrequent ;  Massachusetts,  occasional ; 
Rhode  Island,  common  ;  Connecticut,  common. 

12.— HABENARIA    CIUARIS    (Linnaeus)   R.    Brown,    1753- 

1S13' 

Yeli,ow- Fringed  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  ciliaris,  refers  to  the  fringed  labellum, 
from  the  Latin  ciliate, — beset  with  cilia  or  hairs,  like  eye- 
lashes fringing  the  eyelids. 

A  tall,  wet,  sandy  meadow  or  pine  barren  orchid,  with  small 
fibrous  roots.     June-Julj'  7th-August  14th. 

Flowers  large,  showy,  orange-yellow,  fringed,  in  a  many-flow- 
ered, spiked  raceme,  3-6  inches  long ;  nearly  3  inches  broad. 
Labellum  oblong  and  fringed.  Sepals  orbicular  to  ovate;  lateral 
sepals  reflexed ;  spur  i-i^  inch  long,  very  slender;  petals 
toothed,  oblong,  much  smaller.  Stem  slender,  leafy,  1-2^  feet 
high.  Leaves  lanceolate,  4-8  inches  long,  becoming  bract- 
like above. 

Continental  Range— l^rova.  Essex  County,  Canada,  south- 
ward to  New  England,  the  pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey,  Ala- 
bama, and  Florida ;  westward  to  Illinois  and  Nebraska.  The 
fringed  Habenarias  are  among  our  most  beautiful  native  or- 
chids, gracing  lake-side  solitudes  with  their  flame-like  spikes 
of  purple,  white,  or  orange. 

New  Englatid  Range — Maine,  not  reported ;  New  Hamp- 
shire, rare ;  Vermont,  rare ;  Massachusetts,  rare ;  Rhode  Isl- 
and, rare ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


256        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

13.— HABENARIA  BLEPHARIGLOTTIS  (Willdenow)  Torrey, 
1805-1826 

White-Fringed  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  blephariglottiSy  refers  to  the  fringed  throat 
of  this  orchid. 

A  slender  bogland  orchid,  in  similar  situations  with  H.  cili- 
aris,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  June  (Alabama)-July  23d- 
August  (New  England). 

Flowers  pure  white,  in  a  loosely  and  many-flowered  spiked 
raceme,  smaller  than  those  of  H.  ciliaris,  with  which  it  seems 
to  intergrade.  Labellum  narrow,  oblong,  slightly  fringed. 
Petals  toothed  or  sparsely  fringed.  Stem  leafy,  slender,  1-2 
feet  high. 

Continental  Range— Vxova  Newfoundland  southward  to 
New  England,  North  Carolina,  and  Alabama ;  westward  to 
Minnesota.  Intermediate  forms  between  the  Yellow-Fringed 
and  the  White-Fringed  Habenarias  are  probably  natural  hy- 
brids, as  they  are  closely  associated  in  their  haunts  during  July 
and  August,  the  hybrid  usually  being  of  a  lighter  yellow,  bloom- 
ing slightly  earlier  than  the  type  species. 

New  England  7?a«^^— Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent;  Vermont,  infrequent;  Massachusetts,  frequent; 
Rhode  Island,  infrequent ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

14.— HABENARIA  HOLOPETALA  lUndley)  A.  Gray,  1835- 
1867 1 

Cream-Fringed  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  holopetala,  refers  to  the  petals  being 
complete,  entire. 

A  small  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  July- 
August. 

Flowers  beautiful,  smaller  than  in  preceding  species,  cream, 
or  lighter  yellow  than  H.  ciliaris.  Labellum  sparingly  fringed. 
Petals  narrower  and  entire.  Stem  i  foot  high.  Leaves  similar 
to  type  species  H.  blephariglottis  and  H.  ciliaris. 

Continental  Range — From  Canada  southward  to  Alabama, 
North  Carolina,  in  company  with  H.  blephariglottis. 

New  England  Range— Refer  to  range  of  H.  blephariglottis 
for  New  England. 

'Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


Appendix  257 

15.— HABENARIA  LACERA  (Michaux)  R.  Brown,  1S03-1S10 
Ragged-Fringed  Green  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  lacera,  refers  to  the  lacerate  or  ragged  and 
torn  appearance  of  the  fringed  labellura  of  this  species. 

A  boglaud,  meadow,  or  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous 
roots.     June  2oth-July  15. 

Flowers  greenish-yellow,  in  loose-flowered  spike,  2-6  inches 
long.  Labellum  3-parted,  deeply  fringed  or  ragged.  Sepals 
ovate,  obtuse,  upper  one  broader  than  lower  ones.  Stem  slender 
or  stout,  leafy,  1-2%  feet  high.  Leaves  lanceolate,  5-8  inches 
long ;  bract-like  above. 

Contiytental  Range — From  Nova  Scotia  southward  to  Geor- 
gia and  Alabama  ;   westward  to  Minnesota  and  Indiana. 

In  Thompson's  Swamps,  Pownal,  Vermont,  this  species  inter- 
grades  with  H.  psycodes  and  H.  clavellata.  The  hybrids,  or 
those  crossed  with  H.  psycodes  produce  flowers  with  light 
purple,  and  less  fringed  than  in  the  true  type  of  H.  lacera ; 
while  those  crossed  with  H.  clavellata  are  much  less  ragged 
fringed  than  in  the  type  form  oi  H.  lacera,  although  in  a  much 
smaller  spike,  with  nearly  white  or  creamy-green  flowers,  re- 
sembling a  large  spike  oi  H.  clavellata. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  frequent ;  Connecticut,  common. 

16.— HABENARIA  GRANDIFLORA  (Bigelow)  Torrey,  1824- 
1826 

(^Habenaria  fimbriata  A.  Gray,  1867) 
Large   Purpi,e-Fringed   Orchis— Long   Purples— Dead- 
Men's  Fingers— Dead-Men's  Thumbs 

The  specific  name,  grandiflora,  refers  to  the  grand  flowers  of 
this  species;  the  most  beautiful  among  the  bogland  Habenarias. 

Tall,  damp  woodland  or  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous 
or  palmate  roots.    June-July  22d-August  i6th. 

Flowers  Hlac  or  deep  purple,  fragrant  in  densely-flowered 
spiked  raceme  ;  3-15  inches  long  ;  x-iYz  inches  broad.  Rarely 
white  flowered  spikes  occur.  Labelhim  3-parted,  ^-i  inch 
broad  ;  Yz  inch  long,  deeply  fringed.  Sepals  and  petals  con- 
nivent,  somewhat  toothed.  Spur  i-i  yi  inch  long,  clavate.  Stem 
leafy,  1-5  feet  high.  Leaves  numerous,  oblong,  4-10  inches 
long,    1-3  inches  wide  ;  bract-like  above. 

Continental  Range— 'Brom  Nova  Scotia  southward  to  North 
Carolina;  westward  to  Wisconsin  and  Michigan. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;   New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  frequent ;  Massachusetts,  frequent  j  Rhode 
Island,  frequent ;  Connecticut,  common. 
17 


258        Bog-Trotting  for  Orchids 

17.— HABENARIA  PSYCODES  (Linnaeus)  A.  Gray,  1753-1840 

Small  Purple-Fringed  Orchis  — Long  Purples— Dead- 
Men's  Fingers— Dead-Men's  Thumbs 

The  specific  name,  psycodes,  comes  from  the  Greek  psychoda, 
a  butterfly,  probably  referring  to  the  dainty  poise  of  the  fringed, 
and  winged-petaled  flowers. 

Tall  bogland  or  damp  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy  or  pal- 
mately- tuberous  roots.    July  ist- August-September. 

Flowers  pink-purple,  rarely  white,  very  fragrant  in  densely 
flowered  spiked  raceme,  2-6  inches  long;  i-iyi  inches  broad. 
Labellum  3-parted,  fan-shaped,  fringed,  y^-yi  inch  broad,  much 
smaller  and  often  confused  with  the  larger  species  {H.  grandi- 
flora).  Sepals  and  petals  similar  in  texture,  lower  sepals  ovate, 
upper  one  narrower.  Petals  oblong,  toothed  on  upper  margin. 
Spur  clavate  at  apex.     Stem  leafy,  1-3  feet  high. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Newfoundland,  Nova  Scotia,  Lake 
Huron  southward  to  the  swampy  meadows  in  the  western 
mountains  of  North  Carolina  ;  westward  to  Minnesota  in  tama- 
rack sphagnous  swamps. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  very  common  ;  New  Hamp- 
shire, common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  frequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  common  ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 


18.— HABENARIA  ANDREWSEH  White  n.  sp.  (per  letter),  1903 
Andrews'  Rose-Purple  Orchis 

Habenaria  psycodes  X  lacera  White  and  Andrews,  Rhodora  3  : 
245-248,  1901 

The  specific  name,  Andrewseii,  refers  to  the  species  being 
named  in  honor  of  Dr.  A.  LeRoy  Andrews,  who  described  this 
species  as  a  varietal  form  of  H.  psycodes  X  lacera.  The  species 
was  first  discovered  and  collected  by  Mr.  Marcus  White,  July 
22,  1899. 

Tall  bogland  orchid,  with  fleshy  roots.    July  22d-August  i6th. 

Flowers  white,  to  rose-purple.  Labellum  about  y^-yi  inch 
broad,  divisions  deeply  cleft  as  in  Habenaria  lacera,  yet  more 
numerous.  Sepals  round-oval,  obtuse.  Petals  cuneate-spatu- 
late  and  denticulate  above.  Arms  of  column  slightly  acute, 
similar  to  Habenaria  psycodes.  Pollen  stalked,  greenish-yellow, 
somewhat  2-lobed,  not  obstructing  the  orifice  of  nectary,  as 
observed  in  Habenaria  lacera.  Spur  longer  than  ovary,  clav- 
ate, much  enlarged  below.    Ovary  intermediate  or  rather  short. 


Andrews'   Rose-Purple  Orchis.    (Ilalhimrui  Aiidn-icscn.) 


Appendix  259 

stem  leafy,  1-2)4.  feet  high.  Raceme  of  flowers  not  as  broad 
as  in  Habenaria  psycodes,  but  more  nearly  resembling  the 
spike  oi  Habenaria  lacera  in  form,  yet  fewer-flowered.  Leaves 
several,  as  iu  Habenaria  lacera. 

Continental  Range  —  Pownal  Swamps,  southwestern  Ver- 
mont; no  other  station  appears  to  be  reported  for  this  natural 
hybrid  of  the  Purple-Fringed  and  Ragged  Orchises  (H.  psycodes 
and  H.  lacera),  yet  it  appears  to  be  flourishing  and  increasing 
in  numbers  in  its  special  haunts. 

New  England  Range  —  Vermont,  rare;  Pownal  Swamps 
August  5,  1901  (Marcus  White  and  A.  LeRoy  Andrews)  ;  Au- 
gust 10-16,  1903  (Grace  G.  Niles). 


IV 

Po^onia 

Jussieu,  1789 

Sweet  Pogonias 

The  generic  name,  Pogonia,  comes  from  the  Greek  ncoyco- 
viai,  signifying  bearded,  from  the  bearded  labellum  of  the  type 
species. 

Small  bogland  or  woodland  orchids,  with  fibrous  creeping 
roots.  Anther,  i.  Labellum  erect  from  base  of  the  column, 
spurless.  Sepals  and  petals  free.  Anther  terminal,  stalked,  at- 
tached to  back  of  column.  Pollinia,  2,  i  in  each  anther-sac, 
powdery-granular,  without  caudicle.  Flowers  solitary  or  1-3 
in  terminal  raceme.  Leaves  1-5,  alternating,  or  in  whorls  as 
in  Pogonia  verticillata.     Seedlings  numerous  iu  many  places. 

Continental  Range— Th^re:  are  about  forty-five  species  of  this 
genus  distributed  in  the  wooded  regions  of  the  world.  The 
species  of  Pogonia  have  formerly  been  confused  with  Arethusa. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 5 

New  England  species  4 

Hoosac  Valley  species 3-4 

New  England  species  : 

1.  P.  o/!>//;cir^(9^-yo/fl'^5(LinnEeus)  Ker,  1753-1816. 

2.  P.  trianthopJwra  (Swartz)  B.  S.  P.,  iSoo-1888. 

3.  P.  verticillata  (Willdenow)  Nuttall,  1S05-1818. 

4.  P.  affinis  Austin,  1867. 


26o        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

I.— POGONIA    OPHIOGLOSSOIDES  (Linnaeus)  Ker,    1753- 
1816 

Rose  Pogonia— Snake-Mouth 

The  specific  name,  ophioglossoides,  refers  to  the  flower  re- 
sembling a  snake's  mouth. 

Small  sphagnous  swamp-land  orchid,  with  fibrous  creeping 
roots.  April-May  (Florida),  June  2ist-July  20th  (New  Eng- 
land). 

Flowers  i,  sometimes  2,  terminal,  nodding,  rather  large  for 
plants;  rose  and  purplish-yellow;  fragrant,  subtended  by  a  foli- 
aceous  bract.  Labellum  free,  somewhat  appressed  to  the  col- 
umn below,  fringed  and  spurless.  Sepals  and  petals  about 
equal,  similar.  Stem  8-15  inches  high.  Leaves  1-3,  rarely  i 
basal  leaf;  the  stem-leaf  is  ^-3  inches  long,  bluntly  acute; 
foliaceous  bract  subtending  seed-capsule. 

Continental  Range— 'Bvom  Newfoundland,  southward  to  the 
pine  barrens  of  Alabama  and  Florida  ;  westward  to  Minnesota 
and  Kansas. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common ;  New  Hampshire, 
common;  Vermont,  common;  Massachusetts,  common;  Rhode 
Island,  common  ;  Connecticut,  common. 


2.— POGONTATRIANTHOPHORA(Swartz)B.S.  P.,  1800-1888' 

Nodding  Pogonia 

The  specific  name,  triaftthophora,  refers  to  the  3-lobed  label- 
lum and  the  usually  3  nodding  flowers  of  this  species. 

Small  woodland  orchid,  with  tuberous  roots.  July-August 
iith-September  24th. 

Flowers  1-7  on  axillary  peduncles,  pale  purple,  at  first  nearly 
erect,  soon  drooping,  Yz-Yi  inch  long.  Labellum  3-lobed, 
clawed,  roughened,  without  a  spur.  Sepals  and  petals  equal, 
connivent.  Stem  3-8  inches  high.  Leaves,  2-8,  alternate, 
ovate,  clasping  stem.     Seed-capsule  oval,  drooping. 

Continental  Range— From  Canada,  southward  to  North  Caro- 
lina, Alabama,  and  Kentucky;  westward  to  Illinois,  Missouri, 
Iowa,  and  Indiana. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rare;  New  Hampshire,  infre- 
quent; Vermont,  rare;  Massachusetts,  rare;  Rhode  Island,  rare; 
Connecticut,  infrequent. 

'  Species  doubtfully  reported  for  the  Hoosac  Valley  region, 
although  native  of  Vermont. 


Appendix  261 


3.— POGONIA   VERTlCIIvIvATA  (Willdenow)  Nuttall,  1805- 

1818 

Large  Whorled  Pogonia 

The  specific  name,  verticillata,  refers  to  the  whorled  or  verti- 
cillate  growth  of  the  leaves. 

Small  moist  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  creeping 
roots.     May  2oth-Juue  15th. 

Flowers  solitary,  purplish-green,  and  yellow,  erect  or  de- 
clined, terminal ;  peduncle  >^-%  inch  long,  in  fruit  exceeding 
the  seed-capsule.  Labellum  3-lobed,  crested  along  a  narrow 
band,  upper  part  expanded,  greenish-yellow.  Sepals  linear, 
i>^-2  inches  long,  V12  inch  wide,  spreading,  dark  purple;  petals 
linear,  obtuse,  greenish-yellow,  ^/g  inch  long.  Stem  10-12 
inches  high,  round  and  purplish.  Leaves  5,  verticillate,  in  a 
whorl  strongly  recalling  the  whorls  of  the  Indian  Cucumber 
plants  (iMedeo/a),  with  which  it  grows  in  company  ;  obovate, 
terminal,  pointed  at  apex,  1-3  inches  long.  Rarely  an  obovate 
basal  stem-leaf  occixrs  below  the  whorl.  The  roots  distinguish 
this  plant  from  Indian  Cucumber,  yet  many  times  the  two  plants 
so  closely  resemble  each  other  that  it  is  difficult  to  determine 
one  from  the  other  until  the  roots  are  revealed.  The  stem  of  the 
Pogonia,  however,  is  larger,  fleshy,  purplish,  and  juicy,  while  the 
Indian  Cucumber  is  brittle  and  slender. 

Continental  Range — From  Ontario,  Canada,  southward  to 
North  Carolina  and  Florida  ;  westward  to  Michigan  and  In- 
diana. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  not  reported  ;  New  Hamp- 
shire, rare  ;  Vermont,  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  frequent ;  Rhode 
Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 

4.— POGONIA  AFFINIS  Austin,  1867  • 
Smali,  WHORI.ED  Pogonia 

The  specific  name,  affinis,  comes  from  the  Latin  affinitas,  near 
alliance,  referring  to  the  close  relation  or  affinity  this  species 
bears  to  its  sister  species,  Pogonia  verticillata. 

Small  moist  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
June. 

Flowers  2  or  solitary,  greenish-yellow,  peduncle  Ye-yi  inch 
long.  Labellum  crested  over  the  whole  face  and  lobes.  Sepals 
and  petals  equal.  Stem  8-10  inches  high.  Leaves  in  a  whorl 
of  5  at  the  summit,  smaller  than  the  whorl  in  P.  verticillata. 
Seed-capsule  erect,  i  inch  long. 

Continental  Range — From  northern  Vermont,  southward  to 
Pennsylvania.     This  orchid  has  quite  recently  been  collected  in 

'Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


262        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Vermont,  by  Mrs.  Henry  Holt,  near  Burlington  (1902).  Several 
stations  in  New  Jersey  have  been  destroyed  since  Mr.  Austin 
first  identified  it  there. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  not  reported  ;  New  Hampshire, 
not  reported  ;  Vermont,  very  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  very  rare  ; 
Connecticut,  frequent ;  it  should  be  more  common  in  this  State, 
since  P,  verticillata  is  frequent. 

V 
AretKvisa 

Linnaeus,  1753 
Beautifui,  Arethusa 

The  generic  name,  Arethusa,  refers  to  the  dedication  of  this 
species  to  the  nymph  Arethusa  of  classical  literature. 

Small  scapose  orchids  with  bulbous  roots  ;  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  native  orchids.  Anther  i.  Labellum  dilated,  recurved, 
bearded  down  the  face,  spreading  at  the  apex.  Sepals  and  pe- 
tals similar,  arched  above,  coherent  below.  Anther  operculate. 
Pollinia  4;  2  in  each  anther-sac,  powdery,  granular.  Scape 
5-10  inches  high,  glabrous.  Leaves  i,  4-6  inches  long,  linear, 
and  hidden.  1-3  bracts  or  scales  below.  Seed-capsule  i  inch 
long,  ellipsoid,  6-ribbed,  rarely  maturing. 

Continental  Range—In  sphagnous  bogs  from  Newfound- 
land, southward  to  North  Carolina ;  westward  to  Minnesota. 
Rare  throughout  its  range,  seeking  unfathomable  cranberry 
marshes,  among  bushes  of  Kalmia  and  Labrador  Tea,  in  close 
company  with  Rose  Pogonia  and  Grass  Pinks.  A  genus,  con- 
sisting of  3  species  for  the  world. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico i 

New  England  species i 

Hoosac  Valley  species i 

New  England  species  : 

I.  A.  bulbosa  Linnaeus,  1753. 

I.— ARETHUSA  BULBOSA  Linnaeus,  1753 
Beautifui.  Arethusa 

The  specific  name,  bulbosa,  refers  to  the  bulbous  roots  of  this 
orchid. 

Small  scapose,  bogland  orchid  with  bulbous  roots.  May 
I7th-June  30th. 

Flowers  i,  rarely  2  ;  rose-purple,  terminal,  nodding,  arising 
from  between  2  unequal  scales;  1-2  inches  long.  Labellum 
drooping,  dilated,  recxirved,  spreading  at  apex,  often  fringed 
or  toothed,  variegated  with  purple  blotches  and  yellow.    Sepals 


The  Beautiful  Arethusa.      (.Arelhusa  bulbosa.) 
Showing  the  structural  parts  of  the  flower,  the  single  leaf,  and  bulbous  root. 


Appendix  263 

and  petals  linear,  obtuse,  arched  over  the  column.  Scape  5-10 
inches  high,  glabrous,  producing  1-3  sheathing  bracts.  Leaf  i, 
linear,  many-nerved,  4-6  inches  long,  hidden  above  bracts. 
Root  small,  onion-like  bulb.  Seed-capsule  i  inch  long,  ellip- 
soid, 6-ribbed,  rarely  maturing,  although  seedlings  appear 
numerous  in  natural  haunts,  the  sphagnum  being  filled  with 
lightly-attached  bulbs. 

Continental  Range — From  Newfoundland,  southward  to 
North  Carolina  ;  westward  to  Minnesota. 

New  Ejigland  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts  frequent ;  Rhode 
Island,  common  ;  Connecticut,  common. 

VI 

GyrostacHys 

Persoon,  1807 

(Spiranthes  L.  C.  Richard,  1818) 

Ladies'  Trusses 

The  generic  name,  Gytostachys,  refers  to  the  twisting  spikes, 
which  resemble  a  "  coil,"  or  "curl,"  from  which  originated  the 
common  name  of  Ladies'  Tresses. 

Erect  spiked  racemes  of  twisting  flowers.  Anther  i.  Label- 
lum  clawed,  concave,  erect,  embracing  the  column.  Sepals 
free,  coherent  at  top  with  petals,  forming  a  galea.  Flowers 
small,  spurless,  white  or  greenish,  in  rows.  Anther  without 
a  lid,  situated  back  of  column.  Pollinia  2,  i  in  each  anther- 
sac,  powdery.  Fragrance  delicate.  Stem  leafy,  bracted  above 
basal  leaves.  Leaves  linear,  save  in  two  species — G.  simplex 
and  G.  gracilis,  in  which  they  are  round,  oblong,  and  basal. 
Roots  fleshy-fibrous,  or  tuberous.  Seed-capsule  erect  and 
oblong. 

Continental  Range— Common  in  pasture-land  and  meadow 
boglands  ;  from  Alaska,  southward  to  Florida  ;  westward  to  the 
Pacific  coast.  There  are  80  or  more  species  of.  this  genus  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  tropical  and  temperate  regions  of  the 
world. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 19-20 

New  England  species 6 

Hoosac  Valley  species 5-6 

New  England  species : 

1.  G.  Romanzoffiana  (Chamisso),  MacMillan,  1828-1892. 

2.  G .  plantaginea  (Rafinesque),  Britton,  1818-1896. 

3.  G.  ochroleuca  Rydberg,  1901. 

4.  G.  cerniia  (Linnaeus),  Kuntze,  1753-1891. 

5.  G.  simplex  (A.  Gray),  Kuntze,  1867-1891. 

6.  6^.  ^n/aVz^  (Bigelow),  Kuntze,  1824-1891. 


264        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

I.— GYROSTACHYS  ROMANZOFFIANA   (Cbamisso),    Mac- 
Millan,   182S-1892 

Hooded  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  name,  Romanzoffiana,  refers  to  the  species  being 
named  in  honor  of  Count  Romanzov,  a  Russian  nobleman. 

Rather  conspicuous  bogland  orchid,  with  1-6  tuberous  roots. 
July  I5th-August  ajth-September  8th. 

Flowers  white  or  greenish,3-rowed,  in  spiked  racemes,  slightly 
twisted,  2-4  inches  long,  ]/i-%  inch  thick ;  very  fragrant. 
Labellum  oblong,  contracted  below  the  crisped  apex.  Sepals 
and  petals  broad  at  the  base,  hooded  above.  Stem  6-15  inches 
high.  Leaves  below,  near  the  base,  3-8  inches  long,  with  bracts 
above.  Seedlings  produce  but  one  tuber,  older  plants  several 
adhering,  older  tubers  finally  withering. 

Co7itinejital  Range — From  Uualaska  and  New  Metlakatla, 
along  the  southeastern  coast  of  Alaska,  southward  to  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  westward  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  ascending  8500  feet  alti- 
tude in  moist  meadows  in  Yellowstone  Park,  Montana,  and 
9500  feet  on  Mount  Graham,  in  Arizona.  It  is  especially  a 
Northern  species. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  frequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
infrequent  ;  Vermont,  infrequent  ;  Massachusetts,  rare  ;  Re- 
servoia  Swamp,  Notch  Road,  North  Adams,  August  17th,  1903 
(Grace  G.  Niles) ;  swamps,  base  of  Mount  Greylock,  Adams, 
(Marcus  White)  ;  Mr.  White  is  the  first  botanist  to  collect  this 
species  in  Massachusetts. 

2.  — GYROSTACHYS  PLANTAGINEA  (Rafinesque)  Britton, 
1818-1896 

Eari,y  Broad-Leaved  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  nam^yplantaginea,  refers  to  a  supposed  resem- 
blance of  this  species  to  the  spikes  and  foliage  of  certain 
species  of  Plantain  {Plantago). 

Small  moist  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  June 
7th-July  2nd-August  15th. 

Flowers  yellow  and  white,  spreading,  }i  inch  long,  in  densely 
flowered  raceme,  1-2  inches  long,  ^-^^  inch  thick.  Labellum 
pale  yellow  on  face,  oblong,  not  contracted  in  middle,  apex 
rounded  and  fringed,  base  clawed.  Sepals  and  petals  white  ; 
lateral  sepals  free,  lanceolate,  upper  sepal,  united  with  petals. 
Stem  4-10  inches  high.  Leaves  4-5,  oblanceolate,  1-5  inches 
long,  becoming  bract-like  above. 


The  Hooded  Ladies'  Tresses.     ((Jyroslach.^ 


s  Roma)i:olf!ana.) 


Appendix  265 

Continental  Range— 'From  New  Brunswick,  Ontario,  south- 
ward to  Virginia;  westward  to  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota. 
Rather  rare  in  the  southern  and  western  range ;  nowhere 
abundant. 

Neiu  England  Range— M.&\n^,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare  ; 
Vermont,  frequent ;  Massachusetts,  rare  ;  Rhode  Island,  not 
reported ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

3.— GYROSTACHYS  OCHROLEUCA  Rydberg,  Britton's 
Manual.     300,  1901  ' 

YE1.1.0W  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  name,  ochroleuca,  refers  to  the  yellowish-green  or 
ochroleucous  color  of  the  flowers. 

Small  hillside  and  damp  pasture-land  orchid,  with  fleshy  or 
tuberous  roots.     August-September  ist-i5th. 

Flowers  yellowish-green,  very  fragrant,  in  densely  flowered 
raceme,  conspicuously  acute  in  bud,  of  creamy-green  color,  in 
company  with  G.  cernua,  but  not  so  abundant.  Labellum  ob- 
long, crenulate  or  crisped.  Stem  12-20  inches  high,  pubescent. 
Leaves  linear,  tapering  at  both  ends,  basal,  with  bract-like 
leaves  above.     Slightly  later  than  G.  cernua. 

Continental  Range — From  New  Hampshire,  southward  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  North  Carolina, 

New  England  Range — Without  doubt  in  each  State  in  com- 
pany with  G.  cernua,  of  which  it  appears  to  be  a  form.  Fre- 
quent Mt.  Washington,  Massachusetts,  and  swamps  about  North 
Adams,  September  ist  (Grace  G.  Niles). 

4, —GYROSTACHYS  CERNUA  (Unnseus)  Kuntze,  1753-1891 
Nodding  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  name,  cernua,  refers  to  cernuous  or  nodding 
flowers  of  this  species. 

Small  bogland  or  damp  meadow  orchid,  with  fleshy  or  tuber- 
ous roots.     August  25th-September  ist-28th-October. 

Flowers  white,  fragrant,  nodding  or  spreading,  ^  inch  long, 
in  three  rows  ;  densely  flowered  raceme,  twisted,  4-5  inches 
long>  K-/^  inch  thick.  Labellum  oblong,  apex  rounded, 
crisped.  Lateral  sepals  free  ;  upper  one  arching  with  petals. 
Stem  6-25  inches  high.  Leaves  at  or  near  base,  linear-oblanceo- 
late,  3-14  inches  long,  with  2-6  bracts  above. 

'  Species  doubtfully  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  al- 
though native  of  Massachusetts. 


266        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

Continental  Rayige — From  the  Barren  Grounds  in  latitude 
64"-69"  North,  southward  to  Florida;  westward  to  Minnesota, 
Kansas,  Indian  Territory,  Texas,  and  New  Mexico. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common ;  New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  common  ;  Con- 
necticut, very  common. 


5,— GYROSTACHYS  SIMPLEX  (A.  Gray)  Kuntze,  1867-1891  ' 
Little  Simple  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  name,  simplex,  refers  to  the  simplicity  of  this 
species. 

Slender  sandy  soil  orchid,  with  single  tuberous  root.  Au- 
gust-September 9th. 

Flowers,  white,  small,  ^/^g  inch  long;  in  slender,  twisting, 
spiked  raceme,  i  inch  long.  Labellum  obovate-oblong,  short- 
clawed,  and  crisped  at  the  summit ;  callosities  nipple-shaped. 
Stem  simple  and  slender,  5-9  inches  high,  with  small  bracts 
above  basal  leaves,  glabrous,  slightly  twisted.  Leaves  2-3 
basal,  oblong  aud  short,  disappearing  at  or  after  flowering 
season. 

Continental  Range— Vr ova.  Massachusetts,  southward  to  Dela- 
ware, New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Tennessee.  It 
appears  more  frequent  near  the  coast,  from  Nantucket,  Dela- 
ware, Staten  Island,  and  throughout  New  Jersey,  in  company 
with  G.  gracilis. 

New  England  Range — Massachusetts,  rare ;  Rhode  Island, 
rare;  Connecticut,  infrequent. 


6.— GYROSTACHYS  GRACILIS  (Bigelow)  Kuntze,  1824-1S91 

Slender  Ladies'  Tresses 

The  specific  name,  gracilis,  refers  to  the  slender  and  grass-like 
spike  of  this  species. 

Small  sandy  woodland  or  pasture-land  orchid,  with  several 
spindle-shaped  tuberous  roots.  April  15th,  Florida  (Curtiss) ; 
May,  Alabama ;  July  25th-September-October  15th,  both  North 
and  South. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Massachusetts. 


The  Nodding  Ladies'  Tresses.    {Gyrostachys  cernua.) 


Appendix  267 

Flowers  white,  very  fragrant,  }{i-}4  inch  long,  in  a  slender 
spiked  raceme,  1-3  inches  long,  y^-^i  inch  thick,  loose,  usually 
much  twisted.  Labellum  white  on  margins,  thick  and  greenish 
in  middle,  ^^  inch  long,  clawed  at  the  base,  crenulate  at  the 
apex.  Stem  8-24  inches  high,  slender,  grass-like.  Leaves  3 
obovate,  sometimes  nearly  orbicular,  basal,  dying  away  at  or 
before  flowering  season. 

Continental  Range — From  Nova  Scotia,  southward  through- 
out Canada,  and  New  England,  to  Florida  ;  westward  to  Min- 
nesota, and  Texas. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
very  common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  common  ; 
Rhode  Island,  very  common  ;  Connecticut,  common. 

VII 

Listera 

R.  Brown,  1813  ' 

Lister'.^  Tvyayblade 

The  generic  name,  Listera,  is  in  honor  of  Martin  L,ister,  1638 
(?)-i7i2,  a  correspondent  of  Ray. 

Small  orchids  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  Anther,  i.  Label- 
lum 2-cleft,  longer  than  petals.  Sepals  and  petals  nearly  alike. 
Flowers  in  terminal  raceme,  spurless.  Anther  erect,  joined  to 
column,  without  a  lid.  Pollinia,  2,  united  to  gland,  powdery. 
Stem  3-T0  inches  high.  Leaves,  2,  opposite,  near  the  middle 
of  the  stem,  1-2  scales  below. 

Continental  Range — In  moist  woodlands  and  boglands  from 
Alaska,  southward  to  Florida ;  westward  to  the  Pacific  coast. 
There  are  12  species  or  more  belonging  to  the  north  temperate 
zone  which  are  closely  related  to  species  of  Gyrostachys  and 
Peramimn,  save  in  the  herbaceous  foliage. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 8 

New  England  species 3 

Hoosac  Valley  species 1-2 

New  England  species : 

1.  L.  convallarioides  (Swartz)  Torrey,  1800-1826. 

2.  L.  auriculata  Wiegand,  1899. 

3.  L.  cordata  (Linnaeus)  R.  Brown,  1753-1813. 

'  Genus  doubtfully  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  al- 
though native  of  Vermont. 


268        Bo^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

I.— LISTERA  CONVALIvARIOIDES  (Swartz)  Torrey,  i8cx>- 
1826' 

Broad-Lipped  Twayblade 

•The  specific  name,  convallarioides,  refers  probably  to  a  sup- 
posed resemblance  of  this  species  to  Convallaria,  the  L,ily-of- 
the-Valley. 

Small  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots.  June  9th- 
August  17th. 

Flowers  purplish-yellow,  3-15  spurless,  subtended  by  acute 
bracts,  ^-yi  inch  long.  Labellum  wedge-shaped,  broader  than 
sepals  or  petals,  produced  into  2  distinct  lobes  at  the  apex, 
notched  in  center,  ornamented  with  tooth  at  the  base.  Sepals 
and  petals  linear-lanceolate.  Stem  4-10  inches  high.  Leaves 
2,  nearly  orbicular  in  the  middle  of  stem,  opposite,  smooth, 
obtuse  at  the  apex,  3-9  nerved. 

Continental  Range — From  the  wooded  coast  Unalaska, 
southward  throughout  the  Canadian  provinces,  to  North  Caro- 
lina;  westward  to  the  fir-forests  of  Idaho,  Washington, 
Wyoming,  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  and  the  Bay  region  of 
California. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent ;  Vermont,  infrequent;  Massachusetts,  doubtfully  re- 
ported. 

2.— LISTERA  AURICULATA  Wiegand,  1899' 

AURICI,ED  TWAYBI.ADE 

The  specific  name,  auriculata,  from  auriculunt,  ear,  refers  to 
the  auricled  base  of  the  labellum  and  leaves  of  this  species. 

Small  cedar  swamp  orchid,  with  fibrous  roots.    July. 

Flowers,  many  in  slender  raceme.  Labellum  slightly  ciliate, 
oblong,  broadest  at  the  auricled  base,  cleft  %-]k,  its  length. 
Sepals  lanceolate  ;  petals  oblong-linear,  longer  than  the  ovary, 
spreading,  obtuse.  Stem  4-7  inches  high,  slender.  Leaves 
large,  oval,  or  elliptic-ovate,  borne  above  the  middle  of  the 
stem. 

Continental  Range — From  Quebec,  southward  to  Maine  and 
New  Hampshire. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 

*  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  northern  New  England. 


The  Slender  Ladies'  Tresses.      {Gyrostachys  gracilis.) 
Showing  the  spindle-shaped   mots;  this  species  is  closely  allied  with  (7.  jrt'xipfex, 
which   produces  but  a  single   tuber. 


Appendix  269 

3.— LISTERA  CORDATA  (Liunseus)  R.  Brown,  1753-1813. 

Heart-Leaved  Twayblade 

The  specific  name,  cordata,  refers  to  the  cordate  or  heart- 
shaped  leaves. 

Small,  moist  woodland  orchid,  with  fibrous  roots.  June  27th- 
July  3oth-August  8th. 

Flowers  minute,  purplish,  in  a  loose  raceme,  >^-2  inches 
long,  4-20  flowered,  pedicels  bracted,  ^  inch  long.  Labellum 
2-cleft,  narrow,  with  a  tooth  on  each  side  at  the  base.  Sepals 
and  petals  oblong-linear.  Stem  slender,  3-10  inches  high. 
Leaves  2,  heart-shaped,  or  cordate  %-i  inch  long. 

Continental  Ratige — From  Alaska,  southward  to  Sierra  Ne- 
vada Mountains  in  the  Pacific  region ;  and  New  Jersey,  and 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  Atlantic  region.  It  appears  to  be  more 
of  a  northern  plant  than  L.  convallarioides. 

New  England  Ra7tge—M.2\n&y  common ;  New  Hampshire, 
common ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  rare ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

VIII 

Peramixim 

Salisbury,  181 2 

(Goodyera  R.  Brown,  1813) 

Rattlesnake  Plantain 

The  origin  of  the  generic  name,  Peramium,  is  not  given  in 
the  original  description.  It  may  come  from  Atnmon,  Amen, 
the  Egyptian  Sun-God  of  Life,  since  to  the  blotched  leaves  of 
this  genus  the  Indians  attribute  great  powers,  as  a  remedy 
against  the  deadly  amniotic  poison  received  from  the  rattle- 
snake's bite. 

Orchids  with  erect  bracted  scapes,  and  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
Anther  I.  Labellum  concave,  or  sessile  roundish-ovate.  Lower 
sepals  free,  upper  one  united  with  petals  into  a  galea.  Flowers 
in  densely-flowered,  or  i-sided  bracted  spikes.  Anther  erect, 
attached  to  column,  without  a  lid.  PoUinia  2,  i  in  each 
anther-sac,  composed  of  angular  grains  attached  to  small  disk, 
cohering  with  top  of  stigma.  Stems  or  scapes  bracted,  5-20 
inches  high.  Leaves  several,  basal,  blotched,  with  beautiful 
network  of  white,  green  or  yellow,  resembling  a  snake's  skin. 
Seed-capsule  erect,  nearly  always  maturing.  Seedlings  abiin- 
dant  in  conifer  shades. 


270        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcKids 

Continental  Range— Vxom  Alaska,  southward  to  Florida ; 
westward  to  Minnesota  and  California.  There  are  25  or  more 
species  of  this  genus  ranging  in  the  temperate  and  tropical 
regions  of  the  world. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 5 

New  England  species 4 

Hoosac  Valley  species 3-4 

New  England  species  : 

1.  P.  repens  (Linnaeus)  Salisbury,  1753-1812. 

2.  P.  pubescens  (Willdenow)  MacMillan,  1805-1892. 

3.  P.  Menziesii  (Lindley)  Morong,  1840-1894. 

4.  P.  ophioides  (Fernald)  Rydberg,  1899-1901, 

I.— PERAMIUM  REPENS  (Linnaeus)  Salisbury,  1753-1812 

Smali<  One-Sided  Goodyera— Net-Leae  Ratti^esnake 
Plantain 

The  specific  name,  repens^  refers  to  the  creeping  roots  of  this 
species. 

Small'  conifer,  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
July  igth-August  5th-3oth. 

Flowers  white,  on  j-sided  spike,  54-X  inch  long.  Labellum 
saccate,  recurved,  narrowed  at  apex ;  column  short.  Stem  5- 
10  inches  high.  Leaves  ovate,  basal  in  a  rosette,  pointed,  yel- 
lowish-green, Yz-iyi  inch  long,  ^-^  inch  wide,  blotched  with 
white  or  lighter  yellowish-green  ;  several  bracts  above.  This 
species  intergrades  with  other  New  England  species  of  Per'a- 
mimn,  so  as  to  make  their  designation  difficult  in  many 
stations. 

Continental  Range — From  Nova  Scotia,  possibly  Alaska  (?), 
southward  to  Florida  ;  westward  to  Minnesota,  South  Dakota, 
and  Colorado.     Ascends  5000  feet  altitude  in  Virginia. 

New  England  Range— Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common ;  Vermont,  common ;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  very  rare ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

2.— PERAMIUM    PUBESCENS    (Willdenow)  MacMillan, 
I 805- I 892 

Downy  Ratti,esnake  Pi^antain — Canker-RooT 

The  specific  name,  pubescens,  refers  to  the  hirsute  or  downy 
leaves  and  scape  of  this  species. 

Small  conifer  woodland  orchid,  with  fleshy-fibrous  roots. 
June  15  Virginia  (Curtiss)  ;  May  8th  Wisconsin  ;  July  4th-Sep- 
tember,  New  England. 


M 

*         t.\.^  X?*^-^'^  ■iVi'^i 


4't^'l|VT^^I»i^. 


Appendix  271 

Flowers  greenish-white,  in  densely-flowered  {not  /-sided) 
spike.  Labellum  saccate,  apex  recurved,  obtuse.  Lateral 
sepals  ovate ;  petals  and  upper  sepalarching  in  an  ovate 
galea.  Stem  6-20  inches  high,  clothed  with  hairs,  much 
more  hirsute,  or  downy,  than  P.  repens.  Leaves  basal,  in  a 
rosette,  1-2  inches  long,  strongly  blotched  with  greenish-white, 
5-10  scales  above.  The  Creeping  Goodyera  {P.  repens)  iuter- 
grades  with  this  species  and  causes  confusion  in  designation. 
P.  pubescens  spikes  are  not  i-sided,  the  rosette  of  leaves  are  of 
a  bluer  velvety  green,  blotched  with  a  purer  white  network, 
while  P.  repens  rosette  of  leaves  is  dull  yellowish-green. 

Continental  Rans^e — From  Ontario,  Newfoundland,  south- 
ward to  Florida ;  westward  to  Minnesota.  Ascends  4000  feet 
altitude  in  North  Carolina. 

New  Enp^land  Range — Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  frequent  ;  Rhode 
Island,  rare,  Connecticut,  common. 


3.— PERAMIUM  MENZIESII  (Lindley)  Morong,  1 840-1 894  ' 

MENZIES'   RATTI.ESNAKE  PI.ANTAIN 

The  specific  name,  3lenziesii,  refers  to  the  dedication  of  this 
species,  in  honor  of  the  explorer  and  botanist  Menzies. 

Small  conifer  woodland  orchid,  with  fibrous-fleshy  roots. 
June-July  2ist-Angust  2oth-September  15th. 

Flowers  greenish-white,  spike  not  i-sided.  Labellum  scarcely 
saccate,  swollen  at  base,  apex  narrower,  and  recurved.  Anther 
ovate,  pointed  ;  the  buds,  flowers,  and  leaves  are  all  conspicu- 
ously acute.  Stem  8-15  inches  high.  Leaves  basal  in  rosette, 
bracts  above,  often  without  blotches  of  white  ;  resembling  P. 
pubescens  very  much,  although  the  basal  leaves  are  stifl"er  and 
acute  at  apex  and  base.  The  Pemmiuins  intergrade  with  each 
other,  confusing  their  specific  characters. 

Continental  Range — From  Loring,  Chilcat,  southeast  coast 
of  Alaska,  southward  to  Lake  Huron,  Quebec,  Maine,  Ver- 
mont (?),  and  New  York  ;  westward  to  Arizona  and  California. 
Ascends  9500  feet  altitude  in  Arizona. 

Ne2i/  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare  : 
Vermont,  doubtfully  reported  .  Massachusetts,  doubtfully  re- 
ported. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  northern  New  England. 


272        Do^-Trotting  for  OrcHids 

4.— PERAMIUM  OPHIOIDES  (Fernald)  Rydberg,   1899-1901 
White-Blotched  Ratti^esnake  Plantain 

The  specific  name,  ophioides,  comes  from  ophis,  a  serpent,  and 
aides,  like,  referring  to  the  blotched  leaves  resembling  a  snake's 
skin. 

Small  cold  mossy  woodland  orchid  with  thick  fleshy-fibrous 
roots,     July-September. 

Flowers  greeuish-white  ;  galea  concave  with  a  short,  strongly 
recurved  tip.  Labellum  deeply  saccate,  with  recurved  margins 
and  tip.  Anther  blunt.  Scape  4-8  inches  high,  glandular-pu- 
bescent. Leaves  basal  in  rosette,  several  ;  leaf-blade  broadly 
ovate,  dark  green,  usually  with  the  white  blotches  most  con- 
spicuous along  the  cross-veins.  Spike  of  flowers  i-sided,  loosely 
arranged.     A  variety  of  P.  repens,  with  which  it  is  confused. 

Continental  Range— Vxoxa.  Prince  Edward  Island  to  Mani- 
toba, southward  to  North  Carolina,  in  company  with  P.  repens 
and  P.  pubescens. 

New  England  Pange— Vermont,  frequent ;  Massachusetts, 
common. 

IX 
AcHroantKes 

Rafinesque,  1808 

{Microstylis  Nuttall,  1818) 

Adder's-Mouth 

The  generic  name,  Achroanthes,  refers  to  the  green  flowers  of 
this  genus. 

Small  orchids  with  solid  bulbs.  Anther,  i.  Labellum  cor- 
date, or  eared,  at  the  bass,  embracing  the  column.  Sepals  free  ; 
petals  linear,  spreading.  Flowers  minute  white  or  greenish,  in 
a  terminal  raceme.  Anther  erect  between  the  auricles,  2-celled. 
Pollinia,  4,  2  in  each  anther-sac,  smooth  and  waxy,  without 
caudicles  or  glands,  and  cohering  at  summit.  Stem,  4-10  inches 
high.  Leaf  i,  with  several  scales  at  base  of  stem.  Seed-cap- 
sule oval,  or  globose. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Alaska,  southward  to  Florida; 
westward  to  Nebraska  and  Arizona,  where  a  species  seeks  9500 
feet  elevation  on  Mount  Graham.  There  are  70-80  species 
reported  in  the  temperate  and  tropical  regions  of  the  world. 


The  Green  Adder's-Mouth. 


t\croanthes  unifolia.) 


A.ppendix  273 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico  7 

New  England  species 2 

Hoosac  Valley  species 2 

New  England  species  : 

1.  A.  monophylla  (Linnaeus)  Green,  1753-1891. 

2.  A.  unifolia  (Michaux)  Rafinesque,  1803-1808. 

I.— ACHROANTHES   MONOPHYLLA  (Linnaeus)  Green, 
1753-1891 

White  Adder's-Mouth 

The  specific  name,  monophylla,  refers,  inappropriately,  to  the 
one  leaf,  since  each  of  our  New  England  species  are  i-leaved. 

Small  woodland  orchid,  with  bulbous  root.  June  2oth-July 
25th-August  2d. 

Flowers  whitish,  in  a  club-like  raceme,  1-3  inches  long,  X"^ 
inch  thick  ;  flowers  yV  inch  long,  minute,  pedicels  nearly  erect, 
subtended  by  bracts  ^  inch  long,  Labellum  ovate,  acuminate, 
notched  on  sides.  Sepals  and  petals  acute,  narrow.  Stem,  4-6 
inches  high.  Leaf,  i,  sheathing  at  its  base,  1-2  inches  long,  dis- 
tinguished from  following  species,  A.  unifolia,  by  being  near 
base  of  stem  instead  of  middle. 

Cofttinenial  Range  —  From  New  Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia, 
southward  to  Vermont,  doubtfully  reported  for  New  Bedford, 
Massachusetts  ;  westward  to  Oneida,  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Minnesota,  Indiana,  and  Texas. 

New  Englaiid  Range— Maine,  infrequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
rare;  Vermont,  Pownal,  Swamp  of  Oracles  (Marcus  White), 
rare;  Massachusetts,  Berlin,  and  Spencer  (Dr.  G.  E.  Stone); 
Mount  Greylock  bog,  North  Adams  (Marcus  White),  rare. 

2.— ACHROANTHES  UNIFOLIA  (Michaux)  Rafinesque, 

1803-1808 

Green  Adder's-Mouth 

The  specific  name,  unifolia,  one-leaved,  refers,  like  the  pre- 
ceding species,  to  the  i  leaf. 

Small  damp  woodland  orchid,  with  bulbous  root.  May-June 
26th  (South)-July  25th-August  loth -September  (North). 

Flowers  in  club-shaped  raceme  1-3  inches  long,  i  inch  thick ; 
greenish,  minute.  yV  inch  long,  pedicels  slender,  spreading,  %- 
Yz  inch  long.  Labellum  broad,  3-toothed  at  apex.  Sepals 
oblong.  Stem,  4-10  inches  high.  Leaf,  i,  near  the  middle  of 
stem,  clasping,  nearly  orbicular.     Seed-capsule  oval,  drooping. 


2  74        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Continental  Range  —  From  Newfoundland,  Ontario,  south- 
■ward  to  Florida ;  ■westward  to  Missouri  and  Minnesota.  As- 
cends 4000  feet  altitude  in  North  Carolina. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  frequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent ;  Vermont,  Pownal  (Grace  G.  Niles),  rare  ;  Massachu- 
setts, Mount  Greylock  pasture,  North  Adams  (Marcus  White), 
rare  ;  Rhode  Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

X 
LeptorcKis 

Thouars,  1808 
{Liparis  Richard,  1818) 

IvILY-IvEAVED   TWAYBLADE 

The  generic  name,  Leptorchis,  comes  from  the  Greek,  refer- 
ring to  a  slender  orchid.  The  former  name,  Liparis,  referred  to 
the  smooth  and  shining  leaves  of  these  plants. 

Small  low  orchids  with  bulbous  roots.  Anther,  i.  Labellum 
nearly  flat,  often  bearing  2  tubercles  above  the  base.  Sepals 
and  petals  spreading,  petals  usually  narrow.  Flowers  in  a 
terminal  raceme,  numerous  and  showy.  Pollinia,  4,  2  in  each 
anther-sac,  smooth  and  waxy,  slightly  united,  without  stalks 
or  glands.  Stem  or  scape,  2-10  inches  high.  Leaves,  2,  basal, 
broad,  oval  and  shining,  with  several  sheathing  scales  at  base. 
Two  or  three  seasons  bulbs  adhere  to  the  latest  bulb,  and  in 
time  wither  away.     Seed-capsule  long,  erect,  club-shaped. 

Continental  Ratige— In  moist  woodlands  and  along  springy 
roadside  banks.  From  Canada,  New  England  southward  to 
Georgia  ;  westward  to  Iowa,  Minnesota,  and  Washington.  There 
are  about  100  species  of  this  genus,  distributed  in  the  temperate 
and  tropical  regions  of  the  world. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 2 

New  England  species 2 

Hoosac  Valley  species 2 

New  England  species  : 

1.  L.  liliifolia  (Linnaeus)  Kuntze,  1753-1891. 

2.  L.  Loeselii  {Itinnseus)  MacMillan,  1753-1892. 

I.— LEPTORCHIS  LILIIFOLIA  (Linnaeus)  Kuntze,  1 753-1891 

Large  Lii.y-Leaved  Twaybi^ade 

The  specific  name,  liliifolia,  refers  to  the  lily-leaves  of  this 
species. 


The  Large  Twayblade.      {Upiorchis  liliifolia.) 


Appendix  275 

Small,  moist  woodland  orchid,  with  bulbous  onion-like  roots, 
more  or  less  exposed.     May  I7th-June  ist-July  i6th. 

Flowers  purplish-green  in  loose  terminal  raceme,  many-flow- 
ered, and  showy.  Labellum  purple,  wedge-obovate.  Sepals 
and  petals  narrow  and  reflexed.  Stem  or  scape,  4-10  inches 
high.  Leaves,  2,  basal,  oval,  2-5  inches  long,  smooth  shining 
emerald-green.     Seed-capsule  club-shaped,  erect. 

Continental  Range— Vxoxn  Maine  southward  to  Georgia  and 
Alabama;  westward  to  Minnesota. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  infre- 
quent ;  Vermont,  infrequent;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ;  Rhode 
Island,  rare  ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 

2.— IvEPTORCHIS  LOESELII  (Linnaeus)  MacMillan, 

1753-1892 

LoeseVs  Green  Twayblade— Fen-Orchis 

The  specific  name,  Loeselii,  refers  to  the  dedication  of  this 
species  in  honor  of  the  botanist  Loesel. 

Small  damp  thicket  or  dry  sandy  roadside  orchid,  with  onion- 
like bulbous  roots  ;  old  bulbs  adhering  to  latest  bulb,  somewhat 
exposed.      May  3oth-June  25th-July  27th. 

Flowers  greenish,  minute  y6~}i  inch  long,  in  a  few-flowered 
raceme,  smaller  than  preceding  species,  L.  liliifolia ;  one  of 
the  smallest  native  orchids.  Labellum  pointed,  obovate,  apex 
incurved.  Sepals  narrow,  lanceolate.  Petals  reflexed,  linear. 
Stem  or  scape  2-8  inches  high,  5-7  ribbed.  Leaves  2,  basal, 
2-6  inches  long,  stiff",  strongly  veined,  resembling  Plantain 
leaves.     Seed-capsules  erect,  wide-angled. 

Continental  Range  —  From  Nova  Scotia  southward  to  Mary- 
land, Kentucky  ;  westward,  to  Minnesota  and  Washington. 

New  England  Range  —  Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
frequent ;  Vermont,  common ;  Massachusetts,  infrequent ; 
Rhode  Island,  not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

XI 
Calypso  ' 

Salisbury,  1807 
Beautiful  Calypso— Northern  Calypso 

The  generic  name.  Calypso,  refers  to  the  dedication  of  this 
genus  to  the  Goddess  Calypso.     Its  Greek  signification  is  not 

'  Genus  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


276        Bo^-Trotting  for  Orchids 

only,  as  Salisbury  wrote,  to  "cover  and  conceal"  the  stigma 
of  the  species,  but  also  to  preserve  a  poetical  analogy  between 
this  botanical  goddess,  so  diflBcult  of  access,  and  the  secluded 
Goddess  of  Silence,  whose  Isle  of  Ogygia  was  fabled  to  be 
miraculously  protected  from  observation  by  navigators.' 

Small  bogland  orchid  with  solid  bulbous  and  coralloid  roots. 
Anther  i.  Labellum  shoe-shaped,  saccate,  2-parted  at  the 
apex.  Sepals  and  petals  free,  similar  in  texture.  Flowers  i, 
large,  terminal  pendulous,  bracted,  resembling  a  Lady's  Slipper 
(Cypripediuni).  Linnaeus  wrongly  designated  this  species  Cyp- 
ripedium  bulbosum  in  1753.  Stem  or  scape  3-6  inches  high. 
Leaf  I,  hyemal,  appearing  as  an  autumnal  leaf  about  Septem- 
ber 2d,^  sheathed  above  by  2-3  scales.  Anther  lid-like  below 
the  summit  of  column.  Pollinia  2,  2-parted,  vrithout  caudi- 
cles,  waxy,  sessile,  on  a  thick  gland.  Seed-capsule  about  _J^ 
inch  long,  many-nerved. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Alaska,  Labrador,  southward,  to 
Middlebury,  Vermont,  and  doubtfully  reported  for  Pelham,  Mas- 
sachusetts ;  westward  to  California  and  New  Mexico.  First 
collected  in  the  United  States  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  at 
Charleston  and  Morgan  by  the  botanist  Carey,  who  resided  at 
Bellows  Falls  in  1831-1833.  A  monotypic  species  ranging  in 
cooler  portions  of  north  temperate  zone,  in  Europe,  Asia,  and 
North  America,  assuming  slight  varietal  changes  in  different 
regions. 

North  American  species I 

New  England  species I 

Hoosac  Valley  species O 

New  England  species : 

I.  C.  bulbosa  (Linnaeus)  Oakes,  1 753-1842. 


I.— CALYPSO  BULBOSA  (Linnaeus)  Oakes,  1753-18428 

Beautifui,  CA1.YPS0 — Northern  Calypso 

The  specific  name,  bulbosa,  refers  to  .the  bulbous  root  of  this 
species,  which  was  originally  confounded  by  Linnaeus  in  1753 
as  a  bulbous  Cypripediiim,  and  later  placed  under  its  generic 
designation  Calypso  by  Salisbury  in  1807. 


'  Salisbury,  Pard.  Lo7id.,  pi.  89.     1807. 
*  Henry  Baldwin,  Orchids  of  New  England,  93.     1894. 
^  Species  not  reported   for   Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


-.    IJyper 


From  litliograph  in  Median's  N^ilive  Floiuirs  and  Ftrns  of  the  l^nitai  M  ,  . 

Northern  Calypso.     {Calypso  btdbosa.) 

The  goddess  surely  must  have  been  in  haste. 
Like  Daphne  fleeing  ivlten  Apollo  chased. 
And  leaving  Iwre  Iter  slipper  by  the  way. 
Intends  to  find  it  on  auotlu-r  day." 

W.    W.  B.ULEV. 


'Calypso,  goddess  oj  an  ancient  time, 
(I  learn  it  not  from  any  Grecian  rhyme. 
And  yet  the  story  I  can  vouch  is  true.) 
Beneath  a  pine  tree  lost  her  dainty  shoe. 


Appendix  277 

Small  sphagnous  bogland  or  conifer  woodland  orchid,  with 
bulbous  and  coralloid  roots.  April  igth-May  3d-June  15th- 
July  1 2th. 

Flowers  terminal,  variegated  with  purple-pink,  yellow,  or 
white ;  shoe-shaped  or  saccate,  resembling  a  Lady's  Slipper, 
with  which  genus  it  was  confused  by  Linnaeus  in  1753.  Label- 
lum  large,  saccate  or  shoe-shaped  pink-purple,  2-parted  at  apex, 
with  patch  of  yellow  (or  white)  woolly  hairs  near  the  point  of 
division,  spreading.  Sepals  and  petals  free,  similar  in  texture. 
Stem  or  scape  3-6  inches  high.  Leaf  i,  autumnal,  appearing 
about  September  2d,  hyemal,  basal,  sheathed  above  by  2-3 
scales.     Seed-capsule  ^  inch  long,  many-nerved. 

Continental  Range— Vx<ym  Sitka,  Alaska,  Labrador,  south- 
ward to  Middlebury,  Vermont,  and  possibly  as  far  south  as  Pel- 
ham,  Massachusetts;  westward  to  Humboldt  Bay,  mouth  of 
Russian  River,  California,  and  northeastern  New  Mexico. 

First  collected  in  the  United  States  in  Vermont  by  the  bota- 
nist Carey  in  1831-1833.  The  Rocky  Mountain  Calypso  appears 
to  be  distinguished  from  the  eastern  Calypso  by  producing  a 
beard  of  white  instead  of  yellow  hairs  at  the  pomt  of  division 
of  the  labellum.  This  varietal  form  is  designated  Calypso  occi- 
dentalis  (Holzinger)  Heller. 

Robert  Brown,  as  early  as  1813,  attempted  to  establish  a  dis- 
tinct species  in  the  American  Calypso,  from  that  of  the  European 
and  Asiatic  forms.  He  designated  the  North  American  form. 
Calypso  Americana.  Neither  Lindley  nor  Hooker  approved 
of  this  distinction.  Hooker  remarking  that  the  species  even  in 
the  same  country  may  vary  in  structure  or  colors,  but  not  per- 
manently enough  to  designate  it  specifically.  Smith,  Richard 
and  Lindley  later  agreed  with  Dr.  Hooker  in  "considering  the 
American,  European  and  Asiatic  Calypso  the  same." 

Calypso  bulbosa  is  the  only  species  of  this  genus  in  the  north 
temperate  zone,  and  is  nearly  related  to  the  section  o{ Pleiones  of 
genus  Ccelogyne,  meaning  "two-lipped  "  or  2-parted  at  the  apex 
of  the  labellum.  Ccelogyne  is  a  native  of  Asia,  and  many  of  the 
closely  allied  Pleiones  are  alpine-orchids,  their  large  rose-col- 
ored or  cream-colored  flowers  clinging  to  the  branches  of  sturdy 
oaks  at  an  altitude  of  7500  feet  in  latitude  30°  North.  Calypso 
also  seeks  the  colder  lands,  of  the  conifer  forests  of  Alaska 
and  Labrador,  in  latitude  54°-69°  North  ;  while  in  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  it  is  found  at  an  elevation  of  4000-5000  feet 
above  sea  level. 

New  England  Range— Mame,  frequent ;  New  Hampshire, 
infrequent ;  Vermont,  frequent  northward ;  Massachusetts, 
doubtfully  reported. 


278        Dog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

XII 

CorallorKiza 

R.  Brown,  1813 
Coral-Root 

The  generic  name,  Corallorhiza,  refers  to  the  coral-like 
of  the  roots  of  this  genus. 

Scapose  orchids,  saprophytes  or  root-parasites,  with  large 
masses  of  coralloid  branching  roots.  Anther  i,  Labellum  1-3 
ridged.  Sepals  and  petals  equal ;  1-3  neryed,  lateral  sepals 
united  at  the  base  with  the  foot  of  the  column,  forming  a  short 
spur.  Flowers  several  in  a  terminal  raceme,  purplish,  yellow- 
ish and  white.  Anther  terminal,  operculate.  Pollinia  4,  in 
2-pairs,  free,  soft  and  waxy.  Stem  or  scape  4-20  inches  high. 
Leaves  all  reduced  to  scales.  Seed-capsule  oblong,  drooping 
when  ripe. 

Continental  Range — In  rich  woodlands.  From  Alaska,  south- 
ward to  Florida  ;  westward  to  the  Pacific  region.  There  are 
about  15  species  of  this  strange  genus  in  the  north  temperate 
zone  of  the  world.  These  species  are  destitute  of  green  or 
any  distinct  form  of  foliage ;  their  roots  are  without  form,  as- 
suming coral-like  masses,  which  draw  nourishment  for  the 
plants  from  humus — the  rich  decay  of  dead  roots  and  trees 
in  the  soil.  These  plants  are  known  as  saprophytes  or  root 
parasites. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 9 

New  England  species 4 

Hoosac  Valley  species , 3 

New  England  species : 

1.  C.  Corallorhiza  (Linnaeus)  Karst,  1753-1880-1883.      " 

2.  C.  odontorhiza  (Willdenow)  Nuttall,  1805-1818. 

3.  C.  Wisteriana  Conrad,  1829. 

4.  C  nmltiflora  Nuttall,  1823. 

I.— CORALLORHIZA    CORALLORHIZA    (Linnaeus)    Karst, 

1753-1880-1883 

EarIvY  Corai,-Root 

The  specific  name,  Corallorhiza,  refers  to  the  coral-like  roots 
of  the  species  and  genus. 

Scapose  rich  woodland  orchid,  with  coral-like  roots.  May 
iith-June  28th-July  i2th-August  5th  (North)  September-Octo- 
ber (South).  A  vernal  orchid,  North,  and  an  autumnal  species 
in  Georgia.  The  dates  of  flowering  for  the  Corallorhizas  are 
variable  and  not  standard. 


Appendix  279 

Flowers,  3-12  in  a  raceme  1-3  inches  long,  dull  purple, 
about  Yz  inch  long  on  short,  minutely  bracted  pedicels.  Label- 
lum  whitish,  oblong,  2-loothc<l,  shorter  than  petals,  spur  a  small 
protuberance  adnata  to  the  summit  of  ovary.  Sepals  and  petals 
narrow.  Stem  or  scape,  4-12  inches  high.  Leaves  reduced  to 
2-5  sheathing  scales.     Seed-capsule  drooping. 

Continental  Raiige—Vroxw  Greenland,  and  Kotzebue  Sound, 
Unalaska,  southward  throughout  Canada  to  Georgia  ;  westward 
to  Washington  and  Oregon.  Ascends  7600  feet  in  Yellowstone 
Park,  where  it  is  rather  common. 

Nezv  England  A'a«^^— Maine,  common  ;  New  Hampshire 
frequent ;  Vermont,  conmion  ;  Massachusetts,  common  ;  Rhode 
Island,  not  reported  ;  Connecticut,  infrequent. 

2.— CORALLORHIZA  ODONTORHIZA  (Willdenow)  Nuttall, 
1805-1818 

Smali,-Fi.owered  Corai^-Root — Dragon-Claw— IvATE 
Cora  i.-Root—Crawi,ey- Root 

The  specific  name,  odontorhiza,  comes  from  the  Greek,  odons, 
a  tooth,  and  hiza,  a  root,  referring  to  the  tooth-like  shape  of 
the  coralloid  roots. 

Small  slender  woodland  orchid,  with  coral-like  masses  of 
roots,  February-March-May  (South);  July-August-September 
6th-October  15th  (North). 

Flowers,  6-20,  purplish,  in  raceme  2-4  inches  long.  Label- 
lum  oval,  denticulate,  narrowed  at  base  ;  not  notched,  whit- 
ish ;  spur  small,  adnata  to  top  of  ovary.  Sepals  and  petals 
lanceolate,  marked  with  purple  lines.  Stem  sheathed  with 
3-4  scales,  6-15  inches  high.  Confused  with  C.  Corallorhiza 
northward. 

Continental  Range — From  Ontario,  Canada  ;  Halifax,  Nova 
Scotia,  southward  to  Alabama,  Florida,  and  Texas  ;  westward 
to  Illinois  and  Indiana.     Ascends  3000  feet  in  North  Carolina. 

N'ew  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare  ; 
Vermont,  rare ;  Massachusetts,  Cole's  Grove,  Williamstown 
(Cheney),  rare  ;  Rhode  Island  rare  ;  Connecticut,  frequent. 

3.— CORAIvLORHIZA  WIvSTERIANA  Conrad,  1829' 

WrsTER's  Coral-Root 

The  specific  name,  Wisteriana,  refers  to  the  dedication  of  this 
species  in  honor  of  the  botanist  Wister. 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Massachusetts. 


28o        Bog-Trotting  for  OrcKids 

Slender  woodland  orchid,  with  coral-branching  roots.  March 
1st,  Florida  (Curtiss);  Alabama,  February-May. 

Flowers  whitish,  6-15,  in  spiked  raceme  2-5  inches  long  ; 
pedicels,  erect  and  slender.  Labellum  broad  and  oval,  white, 
clawed,  with  spots  of  crimson  ;  notched  at  apex,  differing  in 
this  from  C.  odontorhiza,  which  is  not  notched  at  the  apex, 
but  projects  acutely  ;  spur  a  conspicuous  protuberance  adnate 
to  top  of  the  ovary.  Stem  8-16  inches  high.  Leaves  re- 
duced to  several  sheathing  scales.  Seed-capsule  oblong  droop- 
ing, when  ripe. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  Massachusetts  southward  to  Flor- 
ida and  Texas ;  westward  to  Ohio,  taking  much  the  same 
range,  and  flowering  at  the  same  time  as  C.  odontorhiza. 

New  England  Range — Massachusetts,  rare. 

4.— CORAIvLORHIZA  MULTIFLORA  Nuttall,   1823 

Spotted  Large  CoravRoot 

The  specific  name,  multiflora,  refers  to  the  multiplying  of 
both  flowers  and  plants  in  many  stations. 

Tall  woodland  orchid,  with  large  masses  of  coralloid  roots. 
May  (Canada)-June  2oth-July  (Maine);  August  14th  (Massa- 
chusetts) ;  September  15th  (Connecticut). 

Flowers,  10-30,  brownish-purple,  in  spiked  raceme  2-8  inches 
long ;  pedicels  short ;  flowers  %-}(  inch  long.  Labellum  white, 
spotted  with  purple,  oval  deeply  3-lobed,  central  lobe  broad ; 
side  lobes  narrow,  apex  curved.    Spur  manifest.     Sepals  and 

Eetals   linear-lanceolate.      Stem   2-20   inches   high,    purplish, 
eaves  reduced  to  several  appressed  scales.     Seed-capsule  ob- 
long, drooping  when  ripe. 

Continental  Range— Vxom  Newfoundland,  Nova  Scotia,  south- 
ward to  Florida ;  westward  to  California.  Ascends  2500  feet  alti- 
tude in  Montana  (Tweedy). 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare  ; 
Vermont,  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  frequent ;  Rhode  Island,  rare  ; 
Connecticut,  frequent. 

XIII 

Tipularia  ^ 

Nuttall,  1818 

Crane-Fi^y  Orchis 

The  generic  name,  Tipularia,  refers  to  the  flowers  resembling 
insects  of  genus  Tipula. 

•  Genus  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont, 


The  Coral-Root.      {Corallorhiza.) 


Appendix  281 

Slender  scapose  orchids,  with  solid  bulbous  roots  ;  several 
bulbs,  or  generations  connected  by  offsets.  Anther  i.  Label- 
lum  3-lobed  produced  into  a  long  spur  backwardly.  Sepals 
and  petals  similar,  spreading.  Flowers  in  a  long,  loose  termi- 
nal raceme.  Anther  terminal,  operculate,  2-celied.  Pollinia, 
4,  2  in  each  anther-sac,  ovoid,  waxy,  separate,  affixed  to  sliort 
stipe,  glandular  at  base.  Stem  15-20  inches  high.  Leaf  i, 
basal,  arising  in  autumn,  about  September  14th,  hyemal  after 
the  flowering-scape  has  perished.  Seed-capsule  yi  inch  long, 
6-ribbed. 

Continental  Range — From  Brattleboro  and  Bellows  Falls, 
Vermont,  to  New  Jersey,  Alabama,  and  Florida  ;  westward  to 
Ohio,  Michigan,  and  Indiana.  Rare  in  sandy  woods.  There  are 
but  two  known  species  reported  for  the  world,  the  following, 
and  another,  native  of  Asia,  in  the  Himalayan  regiou.  The 
American  species  is  slightly  distinguished  from  the  Asiatic 
form  by  the  blunt  tip  of  its  labellum. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico i 

New  England  species I 

Hoosac  Valley  species o 

New  England  species : 

I.   T.  unifolia  (Muhlenberg)  B.  S.  P.,  1813-1888. 

I.— TIPUI.ARIA  UNIFOLIA  (Muhlenberg)  B.  S.  P.,  1813-1888' 
{Tipularia  discolor,  Nuttall,  1818) 

Crane-Fly  Orchis 

The  specific  name,  unifolia,  refers  to  the  i  leaf  produced  by 
this  orchid. 

Alert,  small  moist  sandy  woodland  or  rocky  hillside  orchid, 
with  solid  irregular  bulb  or  corm-like  roots.  Late  July- August- 
October. 

Flowers  green,  tinged  with  purple,  1/^-%  inch  long,  in  a 
loose  raceme,  5-10  inches  long  ;  pedicels  filiform,  bractless. 
Labtllum  3-lobed,  central  lobe  narrow,  prolonged,  dilated  at 
apex,  side-lobes  short  and  triangular.  Spur  straight,  slender, 
twice  as  long  as  sepals  and  petals,  giving  an  insectean  poise 
to  the  dull  flowers.  Sepals  and  petals  narrow.  Stem  15-20 
inches  high.  Leaf  i,  basal,  reddish-purple,  strongly  veined; 
arising  from  solid  bulb,  about  September  14th,  hyemal.  Seed- 
capsule  %  inch  long,  6-ribbed. 

Continental  Range— Vrom  southern  Vermont,  New  Hamp- 
shire, southward  to  Florida  and  Alabama;  westward  to  Michi- 
gan and  Indiana.     More  abundant  South.     Nowhere  common. 

New  England  Range — Vermont,  rare  ;  Massachusetts,  rare. 

'Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


282        Bo^-Trottin^  for  OrcHids 

XIV 

Liznodorvixn 

Linnaeus,  1753 

{Calopogon  R.  Brown,  1813) 

Grass-Pink— Meadow-Gift 

The  generic  name,  Litnodorum,  comes  from  the  Greek,  sig- 
nifying a  meadow-gift. 

Scapose  orchids  with  solid  bulbous  roots.  Anther  i.  La- 
bellum,  hinged,  arching  above,  and  spreading  ;  raised  on  a  nar- 
row stalk,  dilated  at  the  apex,  bearded  on  the  upper  side 
with  long  club-shaped  hairs.  Sepals  and  petals  nearly  alike, 
separate  and  spreading.  Flowers  fragrant,  pink-purple,  3-15  in 
a  loose  terminal  raceme,  seed-capsule  (ovary)  straight.  Anther 
terminal,  operculate,  and  sessile.  Pollinia  2,  i  in  each  anther- 
sac,  loosely  granular.  Stem  or  scape  straight,  not  twisting  as 
usual  in  other  orchids,  i-i>^  foot  high.  Leaf  i,  grass-like 
blade,  appearing  first  season,  and  followed  next  year  by  scape 
of  flowers.     Seed-capsule  erect,  oblong,  and  straight. 

Coyitinental  Range — From  Newfoundland,  Canada,  south- 
ward to  Florida  ;  westward  to  Minnesota  and  Arkansas.  There 
are  4  species  of  this  beautiful  genus  endemic  only  to  the  At- 
lantic region. 

A  peculiar  character  of  this  genus  lies  in  the  ovary  and  stem 
being  straight,  causing  thereby  the  labellum  to  arch  above  in- 
stead of  drooping  below  the  organs  of  fertilization,  as  instanced 
in  Orchis  and  Cypripediuni.  Seedlings  appear  numerous  in 
many  swamps. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 4 

New  England  species i 

Hoosac  Valley  species i 

New  England  species  : 

I.  L.  tuberosum  Linnaeus,  1753. 

{Calopogon  pulchellus  R.  Brown,  1813) 

I.— LIMODORUM  TUBEROSUM  Linnaeus,  1753 

(Calopogon  pulchellus  R.  Brown,  1813) 

Grass-Pink— Meadow-Gift 

The  specific  name,  tuberosum,  refers  to  the  tuberous  or  bul- 
bous roots  of  this  orchid. 

Beautiful  grassy  sphagnous  meadow  orchid,  with  bulbous 
roots.    May  isth-June  ist-July  2oth-August  ist. 


The  Grass-Pink.     (Limodorum  tuberosum.) 
A  beautiful  Rrassy-leaved  orchid   found  in  company   with  the  dainty  Rose   Po- 
gonia,  and  frequently  with  the  rarer  Arethusa  in  wild  cranberry  marshes. 


Appendix  283 

Flowers,  .3-15  pink-purple,  i  inch  long,  subtended  by  acute 
bracts  in  spiked  raceme  4-15  inches  long.  Labellum  hinged, 
arching  above,  owing  to  ovary  and  stem  being  straight ;  Inroad, 
triangular  at  apex  ;  bearded  on  the  upper  side  with  yellow, 
orange,  and  rose-  colored  club-shaped  hairs.  Sepals  and  petals 
acute,  ovate-lanceolate,  similar  in  texture  and  color.  Stem  or 
scape  i-i>^  feet  high.  Leaf  i,  linear-lanceolate,  S-12  inches 
long,  grass-like  with  several  scales  below.  Seed -capsule 
straight,  erect,  oblong. 

Continental  Range—Vrom  Newfoundland,  Nova  vScotia  to 
the  shores  of  Lake  Huron,  southward  throughout  New  Kng- 
laud  to  Florida  ;  westward  to  western  Texas  and  Minnesota. 

New  Englafid  Range— Msdne,  common  ;  New  Hampshire, 
common  ;  Vermont,  common  ;  Massachusetts,  common  ;  Rhode 
Island,  common  ;  Connecticut,  common. 


XV 

Aplectr\im 

Nuttall,  1818  ' 

Putty-Root— Adam-and-Eve 

The  generic  name,  Apledrum,  comes  from  the  Greek  mean- 
ing without  a  spur. 

Scapose  orchids  with  bulb  or  corm-like  roots.  Anther  i. 
Labellum  3-lobed,  shorter  than  petals.  Sepals  and  petals  about 
Y2  inch  long.  Flowers  without  a  spur,  dull  yellowish-brown 
in  a  loose  raceme.  Anther  borne  a  little  below  the  summit  of 
column.  Pollinia  4,  lens-shaped.  Stem  or  scape  1-2  feet  high. 
Leaf  I,  basal,  arising  from  side  of  scape;  several  conns 
adhering  to  latest  bulb  ;  leaf  develops  in  late  autumn,  about 
September  9th,  hyemal ;  several  sheathing  scales  above.  Seed- 
capsule  oblong,  ovoid,  angled. 

Continental  Range—Vrom  Ontario,  southward  to  Georgia 
and  Alabama  ;  westward  to  Minnesota,  Washington,  Oregon, 
Idaho,  and  probably  in  northern  California.  Rather  rare  and 
local. 

North  American  species  north  of  Mexico 2 

New  England  species i 

Hoosac  Valley  species o 

New  England  species : 

I.  A.  spicatum  (Walter)  B.  S.  P.,  1788-1888. 

'  Genera  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 


284        Bog'-Trotting  for  Orchids 

1.— APLECTRUM  SPICATUM  (Walter)  B.  S.  P.,  1788-1888' 

[Aplectrum  hyemale  Nuttall,  181 8) 

Putty-Root— Ad  AM-AND-EvE ' 

The  specific  name,  spicatmn,  refers  to  the  flowers  growing  in 
a  spica,  or  spike. 

Tall,  spiked  damp  sandy  woodland  or  bogland  orchid,  with 
bulbous  or  corm-like  roots.  May  22d-July  ist  (Northern  vStates) ; 
April  2oth-July  ist  (Southern  States). 

Flowers,  1-9  dull  yellowish -brown,  mixed  with  purple,  i 
inch  long,  short-pediceled,  in  a  loose  raceme  2-4  inches  long. 
Labellum  shorter  than  petals,  3-lobed.  Sepals  and  petals  yi  inch 
long,  linear-lanceolate.  Stem  or  scape  1-2  feet  high,  producing 
3  scales  above  the  leaf.  Leaf  i,  basal,  arising  at  side  of  scape, 
from  the  latest  bulb  or  corm  ;  elliptic,  4-6  inches  long,  ap- 
pearing about  September  9th,  hyemal— lasting  through  the 
winter. 

Continental  Range— Vrom.  Ontario,  southward  to  Georgia 
and  Alabama ;  westward  to  Minnesota,  Oregon,  Idaho,  Wash- 
ington, and  probably  California. 

This  species,  like  those  of  Corallorhiza,  is  not  a  definite 
dated  flowering  orchid ;  in  the  Virginian  ravines  it  blooms  as 
early  as  April  20th  while  in  Wisconsin,  and  Missouri  it  blooms 
as  late  as  July  ist.  The  average  date  for  New  England  is  from 
May  22d-June  25th. 

New  England  Range — Maine,  rare  ;  New  Hampshire,  rare  ; 
Vermont,  rare;  Massachusetts,  rare  ;  Rhode  Island,  not  re- 
ported ;  Connecticut,  rare. 

TABLE  OF  MEASUREMENTS. 

ENGLISH  METRIC. 

\\  inch  (i")  =  2  millimetres  (mm.). 
I    inch  (i')  =  2.5  centimetres  (cm.). 
I     foot  (1°)  =  3  decimetres  (dm.). 

'  Species  not  reported  for  Hoosac  Valley  region,  although 
native  of  Vermont. 

"  The  common  name,  Putty-Root,  arose  from  the  putty-like 
consistency  of  the  adhesive  substance  of  the  old  corms  or  bulbs ; 
used  to  mend  broken  china.  The  name  Adam-and-Eve  origin- 
ated with  the  colored  folk  in  Georgia  and  Alabama.  The  bulbs 
are  not  disagreeable  to  eat  if  baked,  and  many  confess  to  be 
fond  of  them.  The  colored  people  in  the  South  are  said  to 
■wear  these  bulbs  as  amulets,  and  attribute  great  favor  to  them 
in  casting  lots.  By  separating  the  offsets,  they  designate  them 
Adam-and-Eve,  as  the  rule  may  be,  and  placing  them  in  a  bowl 
of  water  decide  their  good  or  ill  fortune  in  obtaining  work,  or 
a  lover,  according  as  Adam  or  Eve  "  pops  up," 


Epiphytes,  or  Air  Plants.     A  Corner  in  the  Orchid  House  of  the  Botanical  Gardens 
of  New  York  City. 


INDEX 


Abies  halsamea,  origin  of  name,  ii8.     See  Balsam-Fir 
Achroanthes,  generic  description,  272 

A.  monophylla,  specific  description,  273 

A.  unifoUa,  specific  description,  273;   haunts  of.  104,  108 
Acorus  Calamus,  25,  161 
Adams,  George,  shanty  of,  197 

^olian  Glen,  Bellows-Pipe,  217,  220;  harps  of,  12,  153 
^olus.  Mount  (Dorset  Moxintains)  (Vt.),  of  Taconic  origin,  142 
Agriculture,  Department  of  (Washington,  D.  C),  125 
Ague  Tree,  186 

Alton's  Catalogue  of  Plants,  37 
Albinos  of  Cypripedium   acaule,    147,    148;    of  Cypripedium. 

reginae,  61,  137,  184 
Alder,  Speckled  or  Hoary,  23,  31 
Allen,  Grant,  quoted,  53 
Allium,  172 

Alpine  Blossoms  of  the  Dome,  201 
Amanita,  184 

Amelanchicr  Canadensis,  119 
Amidon's  Farm,  41,  174,  198;    woods  of,  98;    pines  of,  134, 


halii 


Anaphalis  margritacea,  237 

Andromeda,  6 

Anemones,  5,  171,  232  _ 

Anthony,  Mount,  Bennington  (Vt.),  86,  97,  188,  204 

Antrostomus  Carolinensis,  205.     See  Chuck-Will's- Widow 

Antrostontus  vociferus,  205.     See  Whippoorwill 

Aplectrum,  generic  description,  283 

A.  spicatum,  specific  description,  284 
Aquilegia,  origin  of  name,  168,  169 

A.  Canadensis,  168 
Arbor  Vitse,  American,  118,  189 

Arbutus,  Trailing,  14,  24,  104,  121,  133,  187;  days  for,  133,  139 
Arctostaphylos  pungens,  165.     See  Manzanita 
Arctomys  monax,  177.     See  Woodchuck's  home 
Arethusa,  generic  description,  262 

A.  bulbosa,  specific  description,   262;    haunts  of,  89,  90, 
187 
Arethusa' s  Fountain  or  Spring,  31,  72,  88,  142 

285 


286  Index 


Ariseema  tnphylluni,  21,  160 

Arnica  acaulis,  235 

Arrow-Head,  64 

Artemisia  Absinthium,  238 

Arum,  160 

Asarum  Canadense,  179 

Asclepias  tuber osa,  234 

Ashuilticook,  South  Branch,  Hoosac  River,  13,  112,  214,  223 

Asplenium,  194,  195 

A.  ebnoides,  199 

A.  platyneuron,  199 

A.  Ruta-Muraria,  191 
Atlantic  Region  of  North  America,  60,  131,  153 
Atragene  Americana,  140 
August,  month  of,  105,  140,  165,  231,  237;    excursions,  7th, 

224;   1 6th,  222 
Aurora's  Bog,  6,  8,  17,  20,  49,  59;   hill  of,  112,  133 
Aurora's  Lake,  5,  14,  89,  114,  177 
Autumn  flowers  (N.  J.),  237;  Hoosac  Valley,  237 
Azalea,  Pink,  31,  141,  157,  162,  168,  175,  176 

A.  nudiflora,  6 

B 

Bailey,  L.  H.,  Jr.,  quoted,  32 

Bald  Mountain  (Mass.),  11 

Baldwin,  Henry,  quoted,  40,  41,  42 

Ball  Brook,  wanderings  of,  15,  25,  27,  36,  55,  72,  75,  86,  141, 
172,  179.  181,  202,  204 

Ball  Farm,  22,  75,  141,  146,  198 

Balsam-Fir  tree,  202;  resinous  blisters  of,  118,  202 

Balsam- Weed,  237 

Barber's  Mill,  31,  63,  87,  179 

Bear  Berry,  21 

Bear  Swamp,  208 

Beaver  Dam,  last  evidences  of  the,  229 

Beaver,  The,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  224 

Bedford  Park  (N.  Y.  City),  161 

Beecher,  Henry  Ward,  quoted,  201 

Bellows- Pipe,  Notch  Valley,  Hoosac  Highlands,  212,  214,  216, 
218,  220;  Indian's  legend  of,  217,  218.  See  Notch 
Valley 

Bennington  (Vt.),  37,  204;  battle  of,  11,  76;  county  of,  15, 
85,  86;  hill  of,  27,  86,  201;  road  to  Boston  (Mass.), 
from,  76;  rebellion  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  of,  97 

Berkshire,  northern  (Mass.),  57,  121,  214;  "Beautiful  Berk- 
shire," 5;  boglands  of,  114;  highlands  of,  133,  222; 
natural  features  of,  225;  valleys  of,  214 

Bertram,  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  215 

Bicuctdla  Canadensis,  131 

B.  Cucullaria,  131 
B.  eximia,  131 


Index  2S7 


Birch  Family',  149 

Birch  woods,  57,  138,  186 

Bird's- Foot  Violet,  origin  of  name  of,  159 

Birds,  songs  of,  130,  133,  202;  rare  nests  of,  154;  of  the  Dome, 

210 
Bitter-Buttons,  238 
Blackberry  bushes,  112,  211,  237 
Black  Spruce,  Dwarf,  117 
Bleeding  Heart,  131 

Blodgett,  F.  H.,  quoted  on  origin  of  Dog's-Tooth  Violet,  126 
Bloodroot,  164 

Bluebells  of  New  England,  192,  195,  238 
Blueberry,  Dwarf  Low,  117,  118,  119 
Bluets,  4,  126,  232 

Bobolink,  notes  of  the,  95,  167;  nest  of  the,  96 
Bonny,  Old,  38 

Boots,  waterproof,  103,  113;  hob-nailed,  213 
Boston  (Mass.),  7,  47,  94 
Botanizing  outfit,  62 
Botilders,  9,  112,  189,  199,  213,  227 
Boxberry,  24 

Brakes,  12,  20,  68,  103,  112,  163 
Brattlcboro  (Vt.),  204 
Briar- roses,  187,  236 
Broad  Brook,  197;  forks  of,  76,  184, 185;  valley  of,  184,  185, 

210 
Bronx  Park  (N.  Y.  City),  20,  158,  159,  167,  172 
Brooklyn  Bridge  (N.  Y.  City),  231 
Broom- Rape  Family,  164 
Bryant,  William  Cullen,  quoted,  62,95,  112,  115,  182,  214, 

235,  238 
Buckbean,  26,  67,  70,  180 
Buckwheat  Family,  84 
Bullfrogs,  63,  182 
Burlington  (Vt.),  40,  41 
Burroughs,  John,  quoted,  3,  17,  154,  233 
Butter- and- Eggs,  235 
Butterflies,  130 
Butterfly  Polyporcs,  153,  186 
Butterfly-Weed,  Orange,  234 
Butternut  Lane,  138 
Butternut-trees,  74,  234 


Cactus  Family,  158 

Calamint  or  Calamintha,  132 

Calceolus  Marianus,  58.     See  Cypripedium 

Calico-bush,  173,  184.     See  Kalmia 

Calopogon,  former  generic  name  for  Liniodorum,  90 

Caltha,  golden  cups  of,  141 


288  Index 


Calypso,  generic  description,  275 

C.  bulbosa,  specific  description,  276 
Campanula,  origin  of  name,  195,  196 

C.  rotundifolia,  196 
Camptosorus  rhizophyllus,  4 
Canaan  Hills  (N.  H.),  190,  221 
Canadensis  Brook,  haunts  of  Canada  Violets,  172 
Cancer-Root,  164 
Capillus-V eneris  Adiantum,  195 
Caprimulgidcs,  205 
Cardinal  Flower,  105,  231,  233 
Carduus,  238 

Carmel,  Mount  (Conn.),  129,  130,  158 
Carpinus  Caroliniana,  149 
Cary,  Alice,  quoted,  44,  83,  95 

Cascade,  the,  Notch  Valley  Brook,  iii,  113,  212,  213,  221 
Cassandra,  6 
Castilleja  coccinea,  234 
Catbirds,  181 

Catskills,  the,  140,  210,  220 

Cat's-Mint,  131,  132;  Catnip,  origin  of  name,  132 
Cat-tail  Flag,  25,  113,  166 

Cedars  and  Junipers,  130.  161;  swamps  of,  118 
Centre-of-the-Town  (Pownal,  Vt.),  56;  road  to  the,  36,  41 
Chalk  Pond,  region   of,  56,  57,  177,  206;   soil  of ,  loi;   brook 

of,  102;  orchids  of,  137 
Chandler's  Cypripedium,  37.     See  Cypripedium  arietinum 
Charlotte  (Vt.),  204 
Checkerberries,  23 
Cherries,  wild  red,  119;  trees,  144 
Chestnut-trees,  loi,  143,  186 
Chickadees,  209 
Children's  Day,  192 
Chimaphila,  24 

Chordeiles  Virginianus,  205.     See  Hawk,  Twilight 
Christmas  Ferns,  57 

Chuck- Will's- Widow,  205;  habits  of,  176 
Claytonia  Virginica,  157 
Clayton's  Fern,  163 
Clematis,  171;  ancient  vine  of,  140;  seeds  of,  140 

Purple-Flowered,  139,  140 

C.  Virginiana,  140 
Cliff- Brake,  Piu-ple-Stemmed,  191,  192,  200 
Clintonia,  20,  187,  209;  hollow  of,  205 

C.  borealis,  20,  35,  116 
Club-Moss,  24,  182 

Coal-Bed,  or  Chip-Bed,  Domelet,  207,  210 
Cockle- Burrs,  164 

Cold  Spring,  Chalk  Pond  region,  98,  99,  102,  172,  177;    Put- 
nam Swamp,  Mosholu  (N.  Y.),  163 
Colesville,  Williamstown  (Mass.),  197 


Index  289 


Columbine,    130,   131,    165,    168-171;    origin  of  name,    169, 

170 
Common  Polypody,  14 
Concord  (Mass.),  109 
Connecticut,  3,  125,  187 
Connecticut  River,  190;  valley  of,  221 
Continental  Divide,  43 
Coptis  trifolia,  19 
Corallorhiza,  generic  description  of,  278 

C.  Corallorhiza,  specific  description  of,  278 
C.  multiflora,  specific  description  of,  280 
C.  odontorhiza,  specific  description  of,  279 
C.  Wisteriana,  specific  description  of,  279 
Cornel,  Dwarf,  20 
Cornus  Canadensis,  2 1 
Cowslip,  American,  5,  129,  142 
Cranberry  Swamp,  62,  64,  70,  72,  86,  181 
Cratcegus,  13 
Crowfoot  Family,  5,  171 
Cud- Weed,  237 
Currants,  wild  black,  220 

Crystal  Lake,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  232,  233 
Crystal  Spring,  Snuff  Hollow,  Notch  Valley,  113,  212,  221 
Cynorchis,  no 

Cypripedium,  54,  72,  104,  109;  dates  of  flowering,  34,  138; 
cross-fertilization  and  fertilization,  57,58,  178;  origin 
of  name,  58,  242;  seedlings,  77-79,  135;  culture 
of  New  England  species,  80-82;  torsion  of  stem 
and  labellum  of,  92,  93;  organism,  108;  generic  de- 
scription, 242.  See  Lady's  Slipper  and  Moccasin- 
Flower. 
C.  acaule,  specific  description,  246;  haunts,  5,  18,  56,  60, 
67,  103,  116,  134,  172-174;  colony  of  two  hun- 
dred plants,  78;  most  common  Cypripedium  of  New 
England,  and  possibly  of  North  America,  81 ;  culture, 
82;  seed-capsule,  116 
C.  arietinum,  specific  description,  243  ;  haunts,  37,  42,  56, 

6r,  80,  98;   soil  of,  100;   destroying  worm,  135 
C.  calceolus,  European  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper,  53,  58 
C.  Califomicum,  native  of  Pacific  slope,  43 
C.  candidum,  specific  description,  244,  245;    haunts,  61, 

184 
C.  fasciculatum,  native  of  the  northwestern  Pacific  slope, 

43 
C.  hirsutum,  specific  description,  245;  haunts,  3,   57,  59, 

60,  80;    most  common  Cypripedium  of  our  continent, 

81  ;  seedlings,  178 
C.  Montanum,  the  Fragrant  White  Lady's  Slipper  of  the 

Rocky  Mountain  region,  243 
C.  parviflorum,  specific  designation,  246;   haunts,  18,  57, 

60,  61,  80,  161;    seedlings,  161 


290  Index 

C.  passerinum,  native  of  northwestern  Pacific  slope,  60 
C.  reginae,  specific  description,  244;  haunts,  3,  19,  43,  55, 

61,    68,    72,    184;    ancient   colony,    77-79;   seedlings, 

78,  81 


Dale,  T.  Nelson,  quoted,  on  ancient  Hoosac  Lake,  221 
Darwin,  Charles,  quoted  on  Orchidacece — fertilization  of,  51, 

108;    self-fertilization  of ,  5 1 ;    cross- fertilization  of,  52, 

53;   seeds  of ,  57;   extinction  of,  92;   structvire  of,  93 
"Deadholes,"  63,  68,  73,  88 
Dead-Men's    Fingers,    and    Thumbs,     no.     See    Habenaria 

psycodes,  and  Habenaria  grandiflora 
Deaf-Man's  Spring,  211 
Decoration  Day,  44,  61,  141 
Deerfield,  arch,  221;  river,  224;  valley,  224 
Deer-Mice,  173 

Deer  Park,  Mosholu  (N.  Y.),  161,  164 
Denticulus  cams,  or  Dens  caninus,   127.      See  Dog's- Tooth 

Lily 
Devil's  Darning- Needles,  145 
Devil's  Paint- Brush,  236 
Dioscorides  (23-79,  a.d.),  quoted  on  origin  of  plant  names, 

126,  127,  140,  237;  fern  names,  193 
Dodoens'   (1578),  quoted  on  origin  of  plant  names,  58,  in, 

120,  127,  132,  159,  168,  194,  195  .   .        r 

Dog's-Tooth  Lily,  12,  20,  35,  126,  129,  157,  164;    ongin  of 

name  of,  126-128.     See  Lily 
Dogwood  Blossoms,  snowy,  5,  47,  121,  157,  173,  209 
Dogwood,  Poison,  35 
Dome,  the  Majestic,  Green  Moimtains  (Vt.),  25,  27,  35,  66, 

76,  86,  115,  172,  185,  188,  196,  203;  moonrise  over,  95; 

scenes   from,  97;    ascent   and  stunmit,   118,  207,  209; 

glaciated  slopes  of,  204;    flowers  of,   208,  209;  in  the 

path  of  a  tornado  on  the,  210 
Domelet,  Pownal  (Vt.),  59,  62,  76,  115,  116,  120,  175,  207,  211 
Dorset  Mountain  (Mount  .^olus),  142 
Dragon- Flies,  145 
Dragonworts,  160 
Driggs,  A.  W.,  quoted,  61 
Drosera  rotundijolia,  32,  187 
Dry  Brook,  211 

Dtunb  Watches,  32,  65.     See  Pitcher  Plant 
Dummy  Farm,  116;  road,  116,  207 
Dutchman's- Breeches,  131,  157,  158 


Eagle  Rock,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  231,  234 
East  Road,  Pownal  (Vt.),  27,  34,  144 


Index  291 

Eckhart,  Faithful,  of  mythological  origin,  Germany,  14 

Eddy  Farm,  Notch  Valley,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  216 

Eel-Grass,  64,  69 

Eggleston,  W.  W.,  Rutland  (Vt.),  quoted,  188,  191 

Elder,  Poison,  35 

Elephant,  fossil,  discovered  in  Vermont,  204 

Ellacombe,  Rev.  Mr.,  quoted  on  name  of  Dead-Men's  Thumbs, 

no 
Elm  "turnovers,"  103 
Emerson,  Ralph  Waldo,  quoted,  55 
Epigcsa  re  pens,  5,  24 
Equinox,  Mount,  Manchester  (Vt.),  86 
Erosions,    rock,    9,    57,    189,    221-223,    226.      See    Pot-hole 

erosions 
Erythronium  Americanum,  20,  126,  128,  129;   origin  of  name 

of,  126 
Etchowog,  Bogs  of,  3,  15,  16,  22,  27,  35,  39,  42,  47,  86,  88, 

108,  141,  176,  178,  238;  origin  of  name  of ,  63;  haunts 

of  mosquito,  182 
Ethan  Brand,  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  215;    short  story 

of,  quoted,  216 
Eustace  Bright,  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  214 
Everlasting,  the,  237 


False  Lily-of-the- Valley,  20 
Fence,  barbed  wire,  143 
Fence-boards  serve  a  purpose,  73 
Fern  Family,  seeds  of,  151,  194 

Sweet  Fern,  112;  Oak  Fern,  162,  194;    Grape  Fern,  199. 

See  Spleenwort 
Ferns,  lichens,  and  mosses,  origin  of  names  of,  193 
Fertilization   and    cross- fertilization,    the  story    of,  48,    49; 

Orchis  spcctabilis,  107;  Habcnaria  Hooker iana,  177,178; 

Cypripedium  hirsntum,  by  a  snail,  178.     See  Darwin 
Field  Brook,  White  Oaks,  183 
Figwort  Family,  234,  235 
Flag's  Meadows,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  112 
Fleur-de-lis,  23,  35,  65,  67,  83    168.     See  Iris 
Floating-Heart,  180 

Forbidden  Mountain,  the,  218.     See  Hoosac  Mountain 
Forest,  buried,  103 
Forget-me-nots,  130 
Fort  Massachusetts,  the  early  border.  North  Adams  (Mass.), 

11,97 
Foxes  Fire- Eyes,  186 
Franktown  (Nev.),  165 
French  cadets,  97 
Frog's- Bit,  64 
Ftimaria,  131 


292  Index 


Garlic,  Wild,  158 

Gaultheria,  6,  14,  23,  24,  171,  187 

Gaylussacia  dumosa,  117 

Gemmingia  Chinensis,  161 

Gentian,  Blue- Fringed,  26,  166,  180,  187,  238;  origin  of 
name  of,  180 

Gentiana  crinita,  166,  238;  Bryant's  verse  to,  238 

Geological  surveys,  northern  Massachusetts,  9 

Geramum  coliimbinum,  169 

Gerardia,  234-236 

Giant,  The,  Moiont  Carmel  (Conn.),  129,  130,  158 

Ginger- Root,  164,  179,  220 

Glacial  Age,  8,  9,  185,  189;  hills  of  the,  86,  142,  204,  221 ;  an- 
cient lake  beds  of,  203,  221.  See  Erosions,  Pot-holes, 
and  Boulders 

Glebe  or  Church  land,  by  law  established,  Pownal  (Vt.),  188, 
198-200,  204 

Glen  of  Comus,  District  Fourteen,  21,  25,  36,  44,  55,  72,  133, 
137,  141,  147,  149.  152,  178 

Gnaphalium  decurrens,  237 

Goatsucker  Family,  215 

Goddess  of  Liberty  (N.  Y.  City),  231 

Golden  Arnica,  236 

Golden  Chestnut  of  Nevada,  165 

Golden  Gate  of  Hoosac  Valley,  96 

Golden- Ragwort,  162 

Golden- Rod,  121,  237 

Goldthread,  19,  41,  134,  171,  187,  209 

Gould  Farm,  base  of  Greylock,  Adams  (Mass.),  223 

Granite  rocks,  "mutton-backed,"  158 

Grape-vines,  wild,  103,  164,  181 

Grass-of- Parnassus,  237 

Grass  Pink,  haunts  of,  47,  63,  70,  87,  90,  91,  120,  282;  fra- 
grance and  color  of,  91.  See  Limodorum  tuberosum,  or 
Meadow-Gift 

Gray,  Dr.  Asa,  quoted  on  beauty  of  Fringed  Habenarias,  105 

Great  Spirit,  anger  of  the,  218 

"Great  Vermonter,"  boulder  of  the,  9 

Green,  Esq.,  Edward,  cabin  of,  144 

Greenfield  (Mass.),  7 

Green  Mountains,  27,  46,  47,  186 

Green  Mountain  Boys,  97 

Green  River,  Williamstown  (Mass.),  view  of,  120 

Gregor  Rocks,  North  Pownal  (Vt.),  183;    rare  ferns  of,  188, 

191,  192,  194,  213;  bluebells  of,    192,    196;  legend  of, 

192,  193;  natviral  dam  of,  204 

Greylock,  Mount  (Mass.),  name  of,  10,  212;  height  of,  10; 
observatory  on,  10,  219;  Heart  of,  11;  clouds  upon, 
97,  129;  brotherhood  of ,  210,  213;  road  to  summit  of. 


Index  293 

Greylock,  Mount — Continued 

213,214;  Hawthorne's  description  of,  215;  Thoreau's 
ascent  of,  216,  218;  trees  of,  217;  view  from,  220;  geo- 
logical and  glacial  observations  of,  221,  223;  landslide 
on  south  brow  of,  222;  stone  stairs  on,  223 
Griffin,  President,  of  Williams  College  (Mass.),  10,  219 
Ground-pigs,  177 
Ground-Pine,  24,  194 
Grouse,  hiding  of  the  young  of,  175 
Gulf  Road,  Pownal  Centre  (Vt.),  16,  56,  98.  139,  198 
Gyrostachys,  generic  description,  263;    haunts  of,   109,  166, 
238.     Sec  Ladies'  Tresses 
G.  cemua,  specific  description,  265 
G.  gracilis,  specific  description,  266 
G.  ochroleuca,  specific  description,  265 
G.  plantaginea,  specific  description,  264 
G.  Romanzoffiana,  specific  description,  264 

H 

Habenaria,  generic  description  of,  249;  self- fertile  species  of, 
49;  origin  of  name,  49,  56;  haunts  of,  104,  106,  108, 
no,  166;  oldest  orchises  in  literature,  109;  mentioned 
by  Thoreau,  109.     See  Orchis,  common  names  of 

H.  Andrewseii,  specific  description,  258 

H.  blephariglottis,  specific  description,  256 

H.  bracteata,  specific  description,  254 

H.  ciliaris,  specific  description  of,  255;  haunts  of,  105 

H.  clavellata,  specific  description,  254;   self- fertilized,  49 

H.  diatata,  specific  description,  252  ;  haunts  of,  51,  56,  73, 
181,  220;  perfume  of,  73;  fertilization  of,  73 

H.  flava,  specific  description,  255.     See  Tubercled  Orchis 

H.  fragrans,  specific  description,  253 

H.  grandiflora,  specific  description,  257;    haunts  of,  29, 
102,  104,  109 

H.  holopetala,  specific  description,  256 

H,  Hookeriana,  specific  description,  250;   haunts  of,  loi, 
104,  141,  171,  178 

H.  hyperborea,  specific  description,  251;    fertilization  of, 
49-51;  haunts  of,  50,  56 

H.  lacera,  specific  description,  257 

H.  media,  specific  description,  252 

H.  oblongifolia,  specific  description,  250 

H.  obtusata,  specific  description,  251 

H.  orbiculata,  specific  description,  250;    haunts  of,   loi, 
104,  109,  120 

H.  psycodes,  specific  description  of,  258 ;  haunts  of,  70,  72, 
109 
Hailstorms,  J2,  74,  85,  117 

Haines,  Daniel,  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  215 
Hartford  (Conn.),  3 


294  Index 

Hawk,  Twilight,  habits  of,  206;  or,  Bull-Bat,  205 

Hawkweed,  Orange,  236 

Hawthorne,  N.,  American  Notes  quoted,  10,  192,  193,  214, 
215,  222,  225,  226;  route  to  Greylock  (Mass.),  through 
the  Notch,  213;  visits  to  Limekilns,  North  Adams 
(Mass.),  214;  visit  to  Deerfield  Arch,  222;  visits  to 
Natural  Bridge,  Hudson  Brook,  225,  228 

Haystack  Mountain  (Vt.),  185,  210 

Hazen,  Mount,  Williamstown  (Mass.),  186,  196 

Heal- All,  102 

Heart's-Ease,  159 

Heath  Family,  6 

Hellas,  Motmtains  of,  97 

Hellebore,  American,  5,  6,  20,  28,  47 

Hemlock  Brook,  188 ;  woods  of,  Notch  Brook,  113;  glen  of,  193 

Hepatica,  171,  194 

Herbe  de  Chat,  the  cat's  heal-all,  132,  133 

Herkimer  (N.  Y.),  80 

Hieracium  aurantiacum,  236 

Higginson,  Thomas  Wentworth,  quoted,  47,  59,  89 

Hitchcock,  President,  Amherst  (Mass.),  9 

Honeysuckles,  origin  of  name  of,  170 

Hoosac  Falls  (N.  Y.),  plains  of,  98 

Hoosac,  Highlands,  4,  5,  8,  165,  214,  232;  ancient  lake  of  the, 
8,  12,  22,  222;  flowers  in  bloom  each  month  of  the 
year  in,  121;  Lowlands,  207;  tornado  in,  210;  Indians' 
hunting-grotind  in  the  218;  depths  of  lake  10,000 
years  ago,  221 

Hoosac  Mountain,  5,  79,  212,  221 

Hoosac  River,  source  of,  6,  7,  18,  98,  188;  South  Branch  of, 
13;  narrow  pass  of,  96;  view  of  the,  120;  North 
Branch  of,  224;  peaceful  waters  of,  238.  S^^  Ashuilti- 
cook  River  and  Mayunsook  River 

Hoosac  Tunnel,  completion  of  (1875),  7;  western  gate  of,  12; 
cliffs  of,  13;  passing  of  trains  through,  13,  224;  eastern 
portal  of,  222 

Hoosac  Valley,  6,  8,  115,  118,  185,  202,  213,  233;  narrowest 
portion  of,  likened  to  the  Pass  of  Thermopylas  of 
Greece,  96;  wars  of  the,  96;  morning  mist  of,  97; 
view  of,  from  the  Domelet,  120;  roads  of,  139;  Revo- 
lutionary days  in,  200;  region  of,  described  by  Henry 
Ward  Beecher,  201 

Hopkins,  Professor  Albert,  first  nature -student  afield  (1833), 
11;  erected  first  astronomical  observatory  in  U.  S. 
(1838),  228 

Hopper,  The,  a  portion  of  Greylock  Mountam,  11 

Hornbeam,  American,  149 

Houstonia  ccsrulea,  126 

Howling  Swamp,  204;  wilderness  of,  203 

Huckleberry,  5,  186;  dwarf,  117;  venders  of ,  117;  high,  ii8, 
202 


Index  295 

Hudson  Brook,  North  Adams  (Mass.),   224,   229;    origin  of 

name  of,  225;   Hawthorne's  description  01,  225,  227 
Hudson  River,  7;   valley  of,  221,  204 

I 
lasione,  195 
Ice  Age,  9,  57,  115 

Illustrated  Flora  of  North- Eastern  North  America,  128 
Indian  Com,  88,  168 
Indian  Cucumber,  20,  162,  163 
Indian  Fig,  158 
Indian  Pipe,  164,  233 
Indian  Poke,  5,  20,  47,  68,  142,  164 
Indian  Turnip,  21,  160,  172 
Indian's  Paint-Brush,  235 
Indians,  7,  47,  97;  Algonquin,  59 
Innocence,  126 
Ipecacuanha,  American,  47 
Iris,  143,  176 
Iris  Swamp,  142,  198 
Iron- Wood  trees,  149,  150 
Itch- Weed,  5,  63 
Ivy,  Poison,  18,  35,  131 


Tack-in- the- Pulpit,  21,  157,  160,  162;   origin  of  name  of,  160 

Jays,  Blue,  149,  150,  154,  181;  birdlings,  154 

Jepson  Farm,  211 

Jerome  Avenue  (N.  Y.  City),  i6r 

Jersey  cows,  87 

"Joe,"  little  boy,  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  215 

Joe  Larabee  path,  over  the  Domelet,  207 

John-Fallow,  pastures  of  the,  99,  138 

Judge's  Cave,   or  granite  boulder,   summit  of  West   Rock, 

New  Haven  (Conn.),  130 
Juglans  cinerea,  74 
J\ily,  month  of,  98,  109,  140;   excursions:  5th,  188;    7th,  90; 

8th,  iii;    5th-i9th,  196;    17th,  115;    i8th,  198;    19th, 

201 ;   22d,  212 
June,  month  of,   134,   142,   165;    excursions:    5th,   141;    6th, 

57,  167;  8th,  55,  79,  82;  9th,  187;  loth,  56,  147; 

14th,  62,  75;  15th,  82,  179;  i6th,  183;  i8th,  185; 

19th,  75;  20th,  68,  70,  82,  187;  2ist,  72,  74,  186,  190; 

25th,  57;  26th,  83,  145;  30th,  84 


Kalmia,  6,  173,  184,  218 

Kimball  Bogs,  27,  72,  142;  farm,  28,  36 

Kurtz,  Dr.  F.,  Arctic  Expedition  of,  60 


296  Index 


Labrador  Tea,  6,  187 
Ladd  Brook,  15 

Lady's  Slipper,  generic  description,  242 ;  origin  and  history  of 
name,  58,  242.  See  Moccasin- Flower  and  Cypripe- 
diutn 
European  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper,  first  species  designated 
under  genus  Cypripedium  (1740-1753),  53,  242.  See 
Cypripedium  calceolus  and  Calceolus  Marianus 
Fragrant  White  Lady's  Slipper,  mention  of,  243.     See  C. 

Montanum 
Large  Yellow  or  Downy  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper,  specific 

description,  245.  See  C.  hirsutum 
Ram's-Head  Lady's  Slipper,  specific  description,  42,  243; 
origin  of  name,  37;  haunts,  39,  40,  41,  43,  80,  99,  100, 
103,  104,  167,  174,  206;  rarest  orchid  of  North  Amer- 
ica, 60,  81;  Witch  Hollow  colony,  95,  99,  100;  musk- 
like fragrance  of  roots,  134;  destruction  of,  by  worms, 
135,  138.  See  C.  arietinum 
Small  White  or  Prairie  Lady's  Slipper,  specific  description, 

244.     See  C.  candidum 
Small  Yellow  or  Fragrant  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper,  specific 
description,   246;    dates  of  flowering,  3,   18.     See  C. 
parviflorum 
Two-Leaved  or  Stemless  Pink  Lady's  Slipper,  specific  de- 
scription, 246;    albinos  of,  147,  148,  175;  range  north- 
ward and  southward,  247.     See  C.  acaule 
White  Petaled  or  Showy  Lady's  Slipper,  specific  descrip- 
tion, 244;  haunts,  3,  6,  35,  55,  77,  78,  86,  148,  185,207, 
211;  dates  of  flowering,  3,  19,   26,   79;  cultivation,  3, 
80,  81;  albinos,  61,  137,    184;    seedlings,    77,   78,  81; 
ancient  colony,  78.      See  C.  regince 
Lady's-Thumb,  145 

Ladies'  Tresses,  generic  description,  263;    haunts,  109,  166, 
237.     See  Gyrostachys 
Early  Broad-Leaved  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description, 

264 
Hooded  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description,  264 
Little  Simple  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description,  266 
Nodding  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description,  265 
Slender  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description,  266 
YeUow  Ladies'  Tresses,  specific  description,  265 
Lake  of  Dawn,  12.     See  Aurora's  Lake 
Lake  Whitney,  New  Haven  (Conn.),  130,  131 
Lambkill,  6,  173,  187 
Lansingburg  (N.  Y.),  7 

Laurel,  American  Motmtain,  6,  173,  184,  218 
Le  Moyne,  F.  F.,  quoted  on  seedlings  of  C.  regime,  81 
Leopard' s-Bane,  235 
Leopard- Flower,  161 


Index  297 

Leptorchis,  generic  description,  274.  See  Twayblade,  Lily- 
Leaved 

L.  liliifolia,  specific  description,  274;   haunts,  109,  162 

L.  Loeselii,  specific  description,  275 
Lichens,  origin  of  names  of,  194 
Lily  Family,  158;   leaves  of  species  of,  126;   bulbs  of,  128 

Blackberry  Lily,  161 

Dog's-Tooth   Lily,    12;    origin  of  name,  127,   128.     See 
Erythronium  Aniericanunt 

Lilium  Philadelphicum,  210 

Wild  Lily  or  Yellow  Clintonia,  116,  117 

Wildwood  Lily,  210 

Yellow  Pond  Lily,  69,  144;   origin  of  name,  83 
Lily-of- the- Valley  Family,  162,  176 
Liparis,  Lily-Leaved,  162.      vSee  Leptorchis  liliifolia 
Limekilns,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  13,  214 
Limestone  ridges,  Pownal  (Vt.),  198 

Limodorum,  generic  description,  282;  comrade  species  of, 
62,  85;  haunts,  88,  90,  178,  181,  202;  origin  of  name, 
91,  282.     Sec  Grass  Pink,  or  Meadow-Gift 

L.  tuberosum,  specific  description,  282;    haunts,  47,  83, 
87,  89,  90,  91;  structure  of,  91,  92 
Limnanthenium  lancunosum,  180 
Linnaeus,  quoted  on  origin  of  plant  names,  58,  126 
Liriodendron  Tulipifera,  234 
Listera,  generic  description,  267 

L.  auriculata,  specific  description,  268 

L.  convallarioides,  specific  description,  268 

L.  cordata,  specific  description,  269 
Llewellyn  Park,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  234 
Lloyd  Spring,  Mount  CEta  (Vt.),  234 
Lobelia,  187,  235,  236 

L.  cardinalis,  233 

L.  spicata,  236 

L.  syphilitica,  236 
Logger's  Depot,  208 
Long    FHirples,    no.     See    Purple- Fringed    Orchises,    genus 

Habenaria 
Lorenna,  a  little  flower  hunter,  36-38,  40,  41,  98 
Lowerre  (N.  Y.),  swamps  and  hills  of,  157,  158,  164,  234 
Lycopodiiim,  194;  origin  of  name,  182 

L.  obscurum,  182 

L.  Selago,  182 
L3rte,    Henry,    translations   of   Dodoens'    History   of   Plants 
(1578),  quoted,  no,  in,  195 

M 
Magnolia  Family,  233 

M.  Virginiana,  235;  or  Sweet  Bay,  235 
Maiden-Hair  Ferns,  12,  57,  70,  194,  199,  232;  Spleenwort,  161, 


298 


Index 


Mail-coach,  first,  in  Hoosac  Valley,  7 

Major,  a  valued  hound,  62,  100;   as  a  good  comrade,  15,  19, 

46,  67,  72,  99,  146,  150,  211 
Manhattan  Island  (N.  Y.  City),  158 
Mann  Mountain,  Pownal  (Vt.),  98 
Manzanita,  an  evergreen  shrub  of  Nevada,  165 
Marathon,  Plains  of,  97 
Marbledale  (Conn.),  235 

Marble  Quarry,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  225,  228,  229 
Marl,  formation  of,  10 1 
Marsh  Buttercups,  5 

Marsh  Marigolds,  4,  18,  129,  141,  162,  171,  187 
Marvel's,  Ik,  home,  New  Haven  (Conn.),  130 
Mary  or  Marianus,  "Our  Lady  the  Virgin  Mary,"  58,  59 
Mason,  Elijah,  Farm,  201 
Massachusetts,   3,    91;    highest  land,    10;    border  fort,   11; 

State  line,  96;   coast  and  highlands,  105 
Mayflowers,  24.     See  Arbutus 
May,   month  of,   126;  charm  of,  133,  134;  showers  of,  137; 

excursions:     ist,   125,    153;    2d,   133;    7th-i5th,    133; 

14th, 3;   15th,  133,  134, 157,  165;   i8th, 167;   19th, 104, 

188;    20th,   138;    23d,   139;    25th,  56,  57;    29th,   141; 

30th,  55 
Mayunsook    River,    North    Branch   of    Hoosac    River,    224; 

valley  of,  222,  224,  229 
McLean's  Woods  (N.  Y.  City),  swamp  of,  162 
Meadow-Gift,  91.     See  Grass  Pink,  or  Lintodorunt 
Meadow- Rue,  171 
Meadows,  wild,  56,  67,  137,  180,  181;  paths  of  moles  and  rats 

in,  65,  66 
Medeola  Virginiana,  20,  162;   origin  of  name  of,  162 
Meehan,  Thomas,  quoted,  93 
Mentha,  132 

Menyanthes  trifoliata,  26,  67,  180.     See  Buckbean 
Meriden  (Conn.),  129 
Merrimack  River,  190 
Merwin,  a  little  guardsman  of  the  swamps,  70;   home  of,  70, 

87;  mother  of,  73-75,  88 
Meyers'  sugar  kitchen,  89,  187;  road,  86 
Milkweed  Family,  234 
Milton,  John,  quoted,  21,  141,  149,  153 
Minister  and  School  Lots,  198 
Mints,  ancient  name  of,  132 
Mitchella  repens,  24 
Moccasin-Flower,  generic  description  of,  242;  haunts  of,  5,  8, 

26,  36,  40,  44,  48,  49,  141,  203 ;   origin  of  name  of,  59; 

seedlings  of,  77.     See  Lady's  Slipper  and  Cypripedium 
Large   Yellow   or   Downy   Moccasin-Flower,  specific   de- 
scription, 245;    hatmts,  56,  57,  60,  62,  134,  152,  168, 

173,  184;  most  generally  distributed  species,  60.     See 

C.  hirsutum 


Index  299 

Ram's-Head  Moccasin-Flower,  specific  description,   243; 

history,  98.     See  C.  arictinum 
Small  White  or  Prairie  Moccasin-Flower,  specific  descrip- 
tion, 244;   haunts,  61,  184,  245.      See  C.  candidum 
Small     Yellow     or     Fragrant     Yellow     Moccasin-Flower, 
specific  description,  246;   hatints,  57,  59,  60,  159;   rare 
species   in   New    England,    60;    fragrance,     159,    178; 
seedlings  in  McLean's  Woods  (N.Y.  City),  163.     See 
C.  parviflorum 
Two-Leaved   or  Pink  Moccasin-Flower,   specific  descrip- 
tion, 246;    haunts,  ;iT,,  36,  44,67,  103,   104,  116,   120, 
134,  141,  147,  174,  175,  206;    colony  of  two  hundred 
plants,   78,   141,   147;    most  common  species  in  New 
England,  81;    albinos,   147,   148,   175;    evident  evolu- 
tion, 148.      See  C.  acaule 
White  Petaled,  Showy,  or  Queen  of  the  Indian  Moccasin- 
Flowers,  specific  description,  244;   haunts,  55,  68,  71, 
72,  75,  142,   152,   172,  184;    albinos,  61,   137,   184;    as 
decoration  for  church  chancel  during  Williams  College 
Commencement,   70;    testing  a  frozen  sod,  82.     See 
C.  reginco 

Moneses  uniflora,  24 

Monkshood,  171 

MonotropacecB,  165 

Monotropa  uniflora,  164.     See  Indian  Pipe 

Montclair  (N.  J.),  131 

Montpelier  (Vt.),  6 

Monxunental  Rock,  Mosholu  (N.  Y.),  glacial  erosions  on,  165; 
rock  pinks  growing  on,  166 

Mosholu  (N.  Y.),  60,  158,  160,  163,  166,  172,  188,  234;  swamps 
and  hills  of,  157,  158,  165 

Mount  Vernon  (N.  Y.),  woods  of,  131,  163,  173,  184 

Moimtains,  Nature's  retreats,  238 

Mullens,  St.  Peter's,  238 

Miiller,  Professor,  quoted,  77 

Mushrooms,  poisonous,  183,  184 

Mustard  Family,  162;  white  species,  162 

N 

Names  of  plants,  Roman,  or  Latin,  128 

Nardus  rustica,  179 

Natural  Bridge,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  222,  224;  Hawthorne's 
description  of,  225,  226;  paths  to,  225;  deepest  pool 
or  pot-hole,  226;  formation  of  arch  of,  226-229;  rain- 
bows, 227 

Nature,  man's  triumph  over,  8;  solitudes  of,  64,  65,  203; 
weeping  of ,  137;   pristine  condition  of,  144;   tragedies 

of,  173 
Natvire  Study,  48;  classrooms  for,  139 
Nepeta  Cataria,  132 


300  Index 

Newark  (N.  J.),  231 

New  Bedford  (Mass.),  80 

New  England,  24,  40,  42,  57,  106,  187;  Orchids  of,  239 

New  Jersey,  Orange  Mountains  and  Salt  Meadows,  231 

New  Hampshire  Grants,  198 

New  Haven  (Conn.),  3,  80,  105,  108,  120,  125,  131,  235;  old 
canal  to,  130 

New  York  City  (N.  Y.),  3,  5,  125,  158,  161,  167,  187,  190,  234 

Nigger  Hill,  White  Oaks,  196 

Nightshade,  Deadly,  217 

None- so- Pretty,  237 

North  Adams  (Mass.),  5,  6,  7,  18,  39,  40,  49,  57,  133,  192,  197, 
212,   215,   222,   224;  Seal  of  the  City  of,   7 

North  Comers  (North  Pownal,  Vt.),  192 

Northern  Gap,  showing  the  hills  of  Bennington  County,  from 
Motmt  (Eta,  Pownal  (Vt.),  86 

Northfield  Road,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  234,  235 

North  Pownal  (Vt.),  188,  192,  235 

Notch  Brook,  iii,  113 

Notch  Road,  213;  view  from,  214;  roarings  of,  217,  218; 
Hawthorne's  walks  through  the  Notch,  218;  Thoreau's 
comparison  of  the  Notch  vales  with  those  of  Staten 
Island  (N.  Y.),  218;   formation  of  the  Notch,  221 

Notch  Valley,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  111-113,  212,  217 

Nymphcea,  83;   origin  of  name  of,  83;   flapping  pads  of,  145 
A^.  advena,  69,  144 

Nymphs,  wood,  152 

O 

Oak  Hill,  White  Oaks  (Mass.),  196;  Pownal  (Vt.),  141 

October,  month  of,  180,  238 

CEta,  Moimt,  Pownal  (Vt.),  3,  11,  38-40,  62,  80,  85,  89,  95, 
120,  139,  188,  193,  207,  210,  212,  238;  summit  of, 
crowned  with  farms,  97;   a  foothill  of  the  Dome,  96 

Ophioglossum  vulgatum,  129 

Opuntia  Opuntia,  158 

Orange  Moimtains  (N.  J.),  131,  165,  231,  233-235;  soli- 
tudes of,  232 

Orchidaceae,  haunts  of,   118,  238;    tropical,   136;    botanical 
description  of,  241 
New  England  species  of,  241,  342;  origin  of  name,  109 
North  American  species  of,  241 

Orchid  Family,  17,  45,  106,  133,  166,  187;  roots  of,  46,  no; 
extinction  of,  48,  53,  71,  136;  self-fertilization  of,  52, 
77;  venders  of,  53;  seedlings  of,  77,  136;  torsion  of 
seed-capsiile  of,  80,  92,  93;  cultivation  of  native  spe- 
cies, 82;  straight  seed-capsule  of,  92;  pigmy  of  the, 
105;  insect  agency  in  fertilization  of,  108;  species  in 
literature,  109-111;  origin  of  name  Orchis,  109;  ger- 
mination of  seeds  of,  135,  136;  craze  over,  in  culture, 
136 ;  botanical  description  of,  241 ;  genera  of  New  Eng- 
land, 242 


Index  301 

Orchis,  generic  description  of,  247;  species,  106;  high  organ- 
ism, 106;  differences  between  Orchis  and  Cyfripedtum, 

1 08;   origin   of   name  of,  109;  oldest  species  of  the 

family  known  in  literature,  109-1 1 1 
O.  aristata,  endemic  to  Alaska,  106 
O.  mascula,  native  of  England,  and  resembles  O.  specta~ 

bills  of  New  England,  106 
O.  morio,  native  of  Europe,   and    resembles  Habenaria 

psycodes  and  Habenaria  grandiflora,  of  New  England, 

no.     See  common  names  oi  Orchis 
O,  rotundifolia,  specific  description  of,  248;  rare,  106 
O.  spectabilis,  specific  description  of,  248 ;  common  species, 

56,  104,  106,  107,  138,  161,  188 
Orchis,  common  names  of  Orchis,  and  Habenaria 

Andrews'  Rose-Purple  Orchis.     See  H.  Andrewseii,  258 
Crane-Fly  Orchis.     See  Tipularia  unifolia,  2S1 
Cream-Fringed  Orchis.     See  H.  holopetala,  256 
Intermediate  Bog-Orchis.     See  H.  media,  252 
Large    Purple-Fringed    Orchis.     See  H.  grandiflora,  257; 

history  of,  29,  79,  84,  104,  105,  no;   haunts,  in,  113, 

114 
Large    Round-Leaved   Orchis.     See    H.    orbiculata,     250; 

haunts,  loi,  102,  104,  120,  172,  205 
Long  Bracted  Orchis.     See  H.  bracteata,  254 
Ragged-Fringed  Green  Orchis.   See  H.  lacera,  257  ;  haunts, 

220 
Rein,  or  Naked  Gland  Orchis.     See  Habenaria,  249 
Showy  Orchis,     See  O.  spectabilis,   248;    haunts,  56,  57, 

104,  164,  167,  168 
Showy  or  Covered  Gland  Orchis.     See  Orchis,  247 
Small  Oblong-Leaved  Orchis.     See  H.  oblongifolia 
Small    Purple-Fringed    Orchis.     See    H.    psycodes,    258; 

haunts,  70,  83,  102,  ni,  178 
Small  Round-Leaved   Orchis.     See  H.    Hookeriana,    250; 

haunts,  loi,  104,  141,  171,  177,  187,  205-207 
Small  Roimd-Leaved  Showy  Orchis.     See  O.  rotundifolia, 

248 
Small  Yellow  Bog-Orchis.       See  H.  clavellata,   254 
Sub-Alpine  Green  Orchis.     See  H.  obtusata,  251 
Tall  Leafy  Green  Orchis.     See  H.  hyperborea,  251 
Tall  White  Northern   Bog-Orchis.       See  H.  dilatata,  252; 

haunts,  73,  181 
Tubercled  Orchis.     See  H.  flava,  255 
White-Fringed    Orchis.         See    H.    blephari glottis,     256; 

haunts,  105,  220 
Yellow-Fringed  Orchis.        See   H.   ciliaris,   255;    haunts. 

Orioles,  130,  167 
Osmunda,  130,  167 

O.  regalis,  12 
Oven- Bird's  nest,  153,  154 


2,02  Index 

p 

PcBonia,  origin  of  name,  169 

Painted  Cup,  234,  235 

Palisades,  Hudson  Valley,  166 

Palma  Christi,  no.     See  Ptirple- Fringed  Orchises  or  Haben- 

aria 
Pances,  159 
Pardanthus,  161 
Parnassia  Caroliniana,  237 
Parnassus,  Mount,  Greece,  237 

Parsons,  Abraham,  196;   locally  called,  Abe-the-Biinter,  197 
Partridge,  habits  of,  174,  175;   young  partridges,  174 
Partridge-berry,  24 
Patterson's  Meadows,  168 
Pearly- Everlasting,  237 
Pear,  Prickly,  158 
Peat,  formation  of,  loi 
Peckham's  Hollow,  188 
Pedicularis  Canadensis,  165 
Pellcsa  atropurpurea,  191 
Pennyroyal,  132,  199;  as  a  drug,  132 
Pent  Road,  Snuff  Hollow,  Notch  Valley,  213 
Pep  or  Catnip,  132 

Peramium,     generic     description,      269.     See     Rattlesnake 
Plantain 

P.  Menziesii,  specific  description,  271 

P.  ophioides,  specific  description,  272 

P.  pubescens,  specific  description,  270 

P.  repens,  specific  description,  270 
Perch  Pond  (Vt.),  69.     See  Pownal  Pond 
Perkin's  Hills,  188 
Pes  Aquilegia,  origin  of  name,  168 
Pes  Columbinus,  origin  of  name,  169 
Petersburgh  Hills,  203 
Phegopteris  hexagonoptera,  160 

P.  Dryopteris,  160 
Phlox  subulata,  157.     See  Rock  Pinks 
Pickerel- Weed,  64 
Pied  de  Pigeon,  169 
Pigeon  Cherry  Blossoms,  119 
Pine  Grove,  Pownal  Pond,   143;    trees,  87,   141,   165;    rest 

beneath,  146 
Pinus  resinosa,  117 

P.  rigida,  186 

P.  divaricata,  117 

P.  Mariana,  117 
Pinxster-Flower,  232 
Pipsissewa,  24 

Pitcher  Plant,  haunts,  32,  33,  35,  65,  67,  69,  105,  142,  181 
Pittsfield  (Mass.),  stages  to,  198 
Plains,  Huckleberry,  115 


Index  303 

Plant  World,  the,  cited,  126,  169 

Piatt,  "a  friend  of  mine,"  a  character  of  Hawthorne's,  218, 

219 
Pleasant  Valley,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  234 
Pleurisy-Root,  234 

Pliny,  orchises  known  to,  109;   Natural  History  quoted,  240 
Plymouth  (Mass.),  24 

Poe  Cottage,  Bedford  Park  (N.  Y.  City),  161 
Pogonia,  generic  description,  259;  haunts,  62,  63,  70,  73,  83, 

85,    88,    125,    178,    181,    202;    delicate,  89;   origin  of 

name,  90,  259;  New  England  species,  259.      See  Sweet 

Pogonias 
P.  afSnis,  specific  description,  261 ;    origin  of  name,  261 
P.   ophioglossoides,    specific   description,    260;     origin   of 

name,  90,  260;    flowers,  90,  94;    fragrance,  90;   roots, 

91 ;  fertilization,  94.      See  Snake-Mouth  Pogonia 
P.  trianthophora,  specific  description,  260 ;  origin  of  name, 

260;  range,  260 
P.  verticillata,   187;    specific  description,    261;    origin  of 

name,  261 
Point  of  Rocks,  Mosholu,  and  Lowerre  (N.Y.),  161,  164,  165 
Pollen  and  Pollinia  of  Orchids,  93 
PoUywogs,  or  tadpoles,  63,  69,  144 

Polygonum  amphibium,  84,  143;  name  of,  84;   genus,  144,  145 
Poly  podium  vulgar  e,  14 
Polypody  Ferns,  194,  212 
Polypores,  haunts,   149-152,    186;    structure,    151;  seeds  or 

spores,  151;  origin  of  name,  151 
Poppy  Family,  164 
Pot-hole   erosions,  origin,   189,    190,   220,    221;    formation  of 

Wash-Tub  Brook,  189;  ancient  revolving  stone,  Bronx 

Park  (N.  Y.  City),  190;   Deerfield  Arch,  222;    Natural 

Bridge  Chasm,  226.     See  Erosions  and  Natural  Bridge 
Pownal  (Vt.),  District  Thirteen,  63 
Pownal  (Vt.),  District  Fourteen,  15,  16,  25,  36,39,  44,  57,  139, 

171;  schoolhouse  in,  62,  75,  89 
Pownal,  Bennington    Cotmty  (Vt),  only  town  of  the  State 

through  which  the  Hoosac  River  flows,  63,  116,  121, 

^13,  135.  188,  193,  213,  220,  236;   Oak  Hill  Cemetery, 

141 
Pownal  Centre  (Vt.),  27,  174,  191,  199,  200,  204;    road,  36, 

41,  198.     See  Centre-of-the-Town 
Pownal  Pond   (Vt.),   16,   27,   28,  31,  62,  84,   143,   176,   180; 

glacial  hills  around,  68;   picnic  grove,  143.     See  Perch 

Pond 
Prince's  Pine,  24,  187 
Prune  or  Plum,  origin  of  names,  119 
Prunus  Pennsylvanica,  119 
Pteris  aquilina,  20,  195 
Pudding  Grass,  132 
Puff-Balis,  151.     See  Polypores 


304  Index 

Purple-Fringed    Orchises,    65.     See   Orchis    and    Habenaria 

grandiflora,  and  H.  psy codes 
Purple-Stemmed  ClifiE-Brake,  188,  195 
Purple  Grackel,  237 

Putnam  Valley  (N.  Y.),  163;   swamp  of,  164;   railroad,  164 
Pyrola  rotundtfolia,  187 

Q 

Quaker  Meeting-House  (mentioned  by  Hawthorne),  South 
Adams  (Mass.),  214 

Quaking  ground,  64 

Queen  of  the  Lady's  Slipper,  6;  haunts,  68.  See  Moccasin- 
Flower,  and  Cyripedium  regince 

R 

Rabbit  Plain,  139,  171,  175 

Rafinesque,  botanist,  quoted  on  the  sight  of  fences,  65 

Ragged  Mountains,  base  of  Moimt  Greylock  (Mass.),  13,  m, 

212,  215 
RanunculacecB  5,  171 
Ram's-Head  Cypripedium,  botanical  description,    243.     See 

Lady's  Slipper  or  Moccasin- Flower  and  C.  arietinunt 
Rattlesnake  Plantain,  generic  description,  269 

Downy  Rattlesnake  Plantain,  270 

Menzies'  Rattlesnake  Plantain,  271 

Small  One-Sided  or  Net- Leaf  Rattlesnake  Plantain,  270 

White-Blotched  Rattlesnake  Plantain,  272 
Rattlesnake  Swamp,  Mount  CEta  (Vt.),  133,  139,  148,  175, 
185,  186,  207,  211,  220;    Rattlesnake  Ledge,  59,  133; 
Lloyd  Spring,  62;  polypores,  151 
Ray,  a  little  lad  of  my  acquaintance,  49 
Readsboro  (Vt.),  224 
Redmen,  14,  17 
Reindeer  Moss,  186 

Revolving  Stones,  Pot-hole  formations,  190.     See  Pot-holes 
Rhododendron,  Great,  6 
Rhodora  Canadensis,  6 
Rhus,  Poison,  35,  63 

Richardson,  Dr.  John,  quoted  on  Arctic  Orchids  (1823),  60 
Richmond's  Farm,  White  Oaks,  183 
Riverside,  Williamstown  (Mass.),  197 

Robinson's  Garden,  cited  on  name  "  Dead-Men's- Thumbs,"  1 10 
Rocking  Boulders  or  Stones,  origin  of,  199 
Rocky  Hollow,  base  of  the  Dome,  115,  207;    road  through, 

208,  211 
Rock  Pinks,  157,  161,  165 
Rose  Family,  119 

Ros  Solis,  ancient  name  for  Sundew  (1578),  194 
Royal- Fern,  12 
Rue-in- the- Wall,  Spleenwort,  188,  200,  212 


Index  305 

Ruffled  Grouse,  174 

Ruskin,  John,  quoted,  201 

Ruta-Muraria,  194,  195.     See  Rue-in-the-Wall 

S 

Sabrina,  21 

Saddleback    Mountain,    North    Adams    (Mass.),    n;     Haw- 
thorne's description   of,    215;    Thoreau's  mention   of 

sunrise,  219 
Salt  Meadows,  New  Haven  (Conn.),  125;  New  Jersey,  231,  237 
Sangiiinaria  Canadensis,  164 
Saratoga,  hills  of,  98;  battle  of,  97 
Sarcodes  sanguinea,  165 

Sarracenia  purpurea,  32.     See  Pitcher  Plant 
Sassafras,  186 
Satyrion  Erythronium,  ancient  name  of  Dog's-Tooth  Lily,  126, 

127,  128 
Satyrion  Royall,  ancient  name  of   Purple-Fringed  Orchises, 

no;  palmate  roots  of,  in;  perfume  of,  in 
Saucy  Jays,  149 

Schaghticoke  (N.  Y.),  site  of  ancient  Indian  village,  218 
Scudder,  Dr.  S.  H.,  cited  on  fertilization  oiPogoma,  94 
Sedges,  187 

Selurus  noveboracensis,  177 
Senecio  aureus,  162 

September,  month  of,  237;   dates,  9th,  213;    15th,  153 
Serapias  or  Orchis,  species  of,  known  to  Pliny  (23-79,  a.d.)i 

109 
"Seven  doctors,"  characters  of  Hawthorne's,  215 
Shadberry  bushes,  31,  119,  186,  202 
Shadberry  pies,  119 

Shakespeare,  quoted  on  name,  "Long  Purples,"  no 
Sheep  pastures,  138 
Shin- Leaf,  187 
Shin-Plasters,  102 
Side-Saddle  Flowers,  32;    origin  of  name,  65.     See  Pitcher 

Plant 
Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  165 
Silkweed,  Purple-Flowered,  234 
Skipper,  Captain,  in  memory  of,  229 
Skunk  Cabbage,  20,  160,  164,  232 
Slaves,  Cabins  of,  196 
Smith,  Miss  Clara,  Medford  (Mass.),  author  of  poem,  Jack-in- 

the-Pulpit,  160 
Snails,  agents  in  fertilization,  69 
Snake-Mouth,  90;  Pogonia,  47,  87.     See  Pogonia 
Snakeroot,  47 
Snakes,  161,  174 
Snowberry,  6,  14,  187,  209 
Snow- Plant,  allied  with  Indian  Pipes,  165 
SnuiT  Hollow  or  Crow's  Nest,  Notch  Valley,  213 


3o6  Index 

Solomon's  Seal,  20,  21,  100,  171,  187;  False,  232 

Sori  or  Spores  of  Ferns,  192 

South  Adams  (Mass.),  213,  223;  South  Village,  214 

Spathyema  fartida,  20 

Spatter-Dock,  69.     See  Lily,  Yellow  Pond,  or  Nymphcea 

Sphagnous  swam.ps,  8,  68,  88 

Sphagnum,  a  genus  of  peat-moss,  116,  142,  152 

Spleenwort,  194;  Scott's,  199;   Maiden-Hair,  161,  212 

Spring  Beauties,  blossoms,  157 

Spring  water,  necessity  of  marking  springs,  203,  208,  211 

Spruce  trees,  117,  138,  187 

Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek,  158,  166 

Squash  cultivation,  146 

Squirrel-Corn,  131 

St.  Cloud,  Orange  Mountains,  N.  J.,  234,  235 

St.  Jacob's  Dippers,  32,  65 

St.  John's  Wort,  187 

St.  Nicholas  Avenue  (N.  Y.  City),  158 

Stamford  Movmtains  (Vt.),  185,  210,  224;  Hollow,  224 

Stander grass,  Royall,  no 

Stars-of-Bethlehem,  19,  41,  62 

State  Line,  Massachusetts  and  Vermont,  76 

State  Street,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  112,  212 

Staten  Island  (N.  Y.  City),  235 

Stevenson,  R.  L.,  quoted,  224 

Stick- tights  or  Pitchforks,  164 

Stolen  Moccasins,  44 

Stone,  Silas,  Tavern  of,  197,  198 

Stone  walls,  143 

Stone-Liverworts,  194 

Strawberries,  73,  95,  210 

Sugar-Loaves,  or  glacial  hills,  168 

Sumach,  Poison,  35,  181;  autumn  leaves  of,  103,  237 

Sundew,  Round-Leaved-,  32,    187,  194;    cultivation  of,  146; 

name,  194 
Siin-dial  tablet,  228 

Swamp  Apple  blossoms,  6,  168.     See  Azalea,  Pink 
Swamp  Maples,  67,  181 
Swamp  of  Oracles,  District  Fourteen,  Pownal  (Vt.),  8,  44,  55, 

57.  72,  79.  81.  82,  133,  141,  167,  168,  171,  172,  175,  179, 

198,  204 
Swanton  (Vt.),  fossil  marine  shells  found  at,  204 
Sweet  Flag,  25,  161 

Sweet  Pogonia,  83,  259.     See  Pogonia,  259 
Symond's  Peak,  Greylock's  Brotherhood  (Mass.),  11 


Taconic  Mountains,  heart  of  the,  9, 
Tanacetum  vulgare,  238 
Tansy- Weed,  238 


Index  307 

Tennyson  quoted,  no 
Thalesia  uniflora,  164 
Theophrastus  cited  on  origins  of  plant  names,  117,  133,  169, 

195 
ThermopylfB,  Pass  of,  96 
Thimble-Berry  blossoms,  238 
Thistles,  238 

Thompson's  Brook,  75,  85,  88,  146,  187 
Thompson  Pond,  base  of  the  Dome,  Pownal  (Vt.),  27,  145 
Thoreau,  Henry  D.,  quoted,  10,  11,  15,  26,  84,  102,  125,  137, 
157,  167,  183,  203,  231,  235,  237;    admiration  for  the 
location  of  Williams  College,  10,  11;    on  walking,  38; 
on  Great  Fringed  Orchises,  105;    descriptive  of  Notch 
Valley  region,  North  Adams  (Mass.),   216,   217,   219; 
ascent    of    Greylock,    216;     entertained    at    Wilbur's 
Farm,  216;    possible  origin  of  poem.  Rumors  from  an 
ALolian  Harp,  217;   supper  of  rice,  on  Greylock's  sum- 
mit, 219 
Thome- Apple,  174 

Thrush,  12,  130;  haunts  of ,  152;  songs  of ,  153;  nests  of ,  153; 
species  of  true,  153 
Golden-crowned  thrush,  153 
Hermit-thrush,  153 
Veery-thrush,  153 
Water  thrush,  habits,  177 
Wood-thrush,  153 
Thuja  occidentalis,  118 
Ticonderoga,  conflicts  at,  97 
Timothy-Heads,  Cat's-Tail  Grass,  85 
Tipularia,  generic  description,  280 

T.  unifoUa,' specific  description,  281 
Transcript,  the.  North  Adams  (Mass.),  cited,  121 
Trespassing,  law  against,  232 
Trillium,  157,  162 
T.  cernuum,  163 

Painted  Trillium,  14,  19,  44,  i34,  141.  163,  172,  175 
Purple  Trillium,  20,  21,  142 
Troy-on-the-Hudson,  218;  stages  to,  198 
Tulip  mania,  136 
Tulip-Tree,  234,  235 

"Tvmnel  City"  (North  Adams,  Mass.),  7 
Turdus,  153.     See  Thrush 
Turnovers,  117 
Turtles,  129 

Twayblade,  Lily-Leaved,  162,  274.     See  Lcptorchis,  274 
Large  Twayblade,  274 
Loesel's  Twayblade  or  Fen  Orchis,  275 
Twayblade,  Lister's.     See  Listcra.  267 

Auricled  Twayblade.     See  L.  aiiriculaia,  268 
Broad-Lipped  Twayblade,  268 
Heart-Leaved  Twayblade,  269 


3o8  Index 

Twin  Cascades,  Hoosac  Tunnel  Mountain,  222 
Typha,  25 

U 

Umbrella- Fern,  199 

Uncle  Abe-the-Bunter,  a  local  name  for  Abraham  Parsons,  197 

Unifolium  Canadense,  20,  176 

Usnea,  186 


Vaccinium,  119,  159 

V.  corymhosum,  118 

V.  Pennsylvanicum,  118 

V.  vacillans,  118 
Vagnera  stellata,  21 

V.  trifolia,  21 
Valerian,  American,  47 

V.  European,  47 

V.  False,  162 
Van  Courtlandt  Farm,  166;  Mansion,  163,  166,  202 
Veery,  153.     See  Thrush 
Venus-Hair  Fern,  194,  195 
Venus  of  classical  literatiire,  58,  59 
"  Venus  Slippers,"  34.     See  Lady's-Slipper 
Veratrum  viride,  5,  47 
Verbasciini  Thapsus,  238 
Vermont,  10,  18,  40,  43 
Virgil  quoted,  119,  159 
Virgin' s-Bower,  140 

Viola  dens-canis,  126.     See  Dog's-Tooth  Lily 
Fio/a  or  Violets,  5,  126,  130,  141,  165,  232;  origin  of  name,  159 

V.  bicolor,  159 

V.  blanda,  5,  159.     Sweet  White  Violet 

V.  Canadensis,  159,  172,  208.     Sweet  Canada  Violet 

V.  pedata,  157-159.      Bird's-foot  Violet 

V.  pubescens,  157,  159.      Downy  Yellow  Violet 

V.  rotundijolia,  158.     Round-Leaved  Violet 
Vitis  cordijolia,  181 

W 

Wake  Robins,  5,  104;  Painted,  41;  Nodding,  163 

Walden  Farm,  Notch  Valley,  213,  214,  220 

Walking,  3,  15,  75 

Walking  Fern,  haunts,  4,  190,  191,  193,  198-200,  213,  228 

Walloomsac  River,  Bennington  (Vt.),  188,  202 

Wall-Rue,  Spleenwort  Fern,  191,  192,  194 

Wars,  the  French  and  Indian,  97 

Washington  (D.  C),  126 


Index  309 

Washington  Heights  (N.  Y.  City),  158 

Washoe  Valley  (Nevada),  165 

Wash-Tub  Brook,  North  Pownal  (Vt.),  188,  190,  193 

Water,  pure  drinking,  210,  214,  218,  219 

Water-Cress,  162 

Water  Persicaria,  84 

Weeping  Rocks,  or  Gregor  Rocks,  193 

Welch  Farm,  Mount  O^ta,  139 

Western  Gateway  of  Hoosac  Mountain,  13,  14 

West  Orange  (N.  J.),  231 

Wentworth,  Governor  Benning,  198 

West  Peak,  State  Park,  Meriden  (Conn.),  129 

West  Rock,  New  Haven  (Conn.),  4.  126,  129,  130,  158 

Westville  (Conn.),  swamps  of,  85,  125,  129,  130 

Whale  fossil  discovered  in  Vermont,  204 

Whig  Tavern,  North  Adams  (Mass.)  (1838),  215 

Whippoorwills,  chorus  of,  95,  96;    baby,  96,   175,   176,   205; 

eggs  and  nest  of,  175,  205;   habits  of,  175,  176 
Whippoorwill's-Shoes,  206.  See  Moccasin-Flowers  and  Cypri- 

pedimn 
White  Mountains  (N.  H.),  47,  214,  235 
White  Oaks,  northern  Berkshire  (Mass.),  region,  76,  121,  183, 

197;  road,  120,  183,  196,197,  207;  chapel,  196;   origin 

of  name,  197 
Whittier,  J.   G.,   quoted,   on  poem,   Jack-in-the-Pulpit,    160; 

Mayflowers,    24;     Mabel   Martin,    39;     Seeking  of   the 

Waterfall,  15;  Storm  on  Lake  Asqiiam,  72 
Whortleberry,  119 
Whorts  of  the  i6th  century,  120 
Wilbur,  Jeremiah,  farm  of,  Notch  Valley,  northern  Berkshire 

216,  220;    Thoreau's  ascent  to  Greylock  through  The 

Notch,  218 
Wild  Cat  Express,  Hoosac  Valley,  120 
Wild  Hens,  174 

Wildmont  Cottage,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  232,  233 
Wild  wood  or  Tiger  Lilies,  210 

Williams,  Orlando,  Swamp,  Orange  Mountains  (N.  J.),  234 
Williams  College,  Williamstown  (Mass.),  76,  219;    Thoreau's 

admiration    of    the    location    of,    10;     Baccalaureate 

Sunday,    70;     students,  70,  196;     sundial  tablet,  228; 

Museum,  relics  in,  228;    Library,  228. 
Williamstown,  Berkshire  County  (Mass.),  121 
Willow  Dell,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  215 
Willow  Family,  23 
Wilsey  Lot,  White  Oaks,  184 
Wintergreens,  23 
Witch  Hollow,  Gulf  Road,  Pownal  (Vt.),  16,  23,  56,  98,  138, 

139,  188,  206;  orchids  of,  108 
Witts  Ledge,  North  Adams  (Mass.),  112 
Wolf's-Claw,  182 
Wolfe,  Dr.,  quoted,  222 


3IO  Index 


Wood  Beton}',  165 
Woodbine  Family,  170 
Woodbridge  (Conn.),  view  of,  129 
Woodchuck's  home,  177,  205 
Woodmont  (Conn.),  235 
Woolly  Moonshine,  237 
Wormwood,  238 


Xenocrates  prescribed  " Penny- Royall,"  132 

Y 

Yale,  catnip  for  pussy,  132,  133 
Yeomen  of  northern  Berkshire  (1777),  76 
Yonkers  (N.  Y.),  157,  161 

Z 

Zoar  (Mass.),  Eastern  Portal  of  Hoosac  Tionnel,  224 


BOOKS  FOR  THE  COUNTRY 


THE  HOME  LIFE   OF   WILD  BIRDS 

A  New  Method  of  the  Study  and  Photography  of  Birds. 
By  Francis  Hobart  Hf.rrick,  of  the  Department 
of  Biology,  Adelbert  College.  4°.  With  141  origi- 
nal illustrations  from  Nature  by  the  author.  $2.50  net. 
By  mail,  $2.75. 

"  Never  before  have  we  had  placed  before  us  in  a  series 
of  illustrations  from  life  such  a  revelation  of  the  intimate 
daily  life  of  birds  in  the  nesting  season  as  is  here  pre- 
sented."—TV^.    y.  Evening  Post. 

BIRD  STUDIES 

An  Account  of  the  Land  Birds  of  Eastern  North  America. 
By  William  E.  D.  Scott.  With  166  illustrations 
from  original  photographs.  4°,  Leather  back,  gilt 
top,  in  a  box,  net,  $5.00. 

OUR  INSECT  FRIENDS   AND   FOES 

How  to  Collect,  Preserve,  and  Study  Them.  By  Belle 
S.  Cragin.     With  over  250  illustrations.     12°.  $1.75. 

AMONG  THE  MOTHS  AND  BUTTERFLIES 

By  Julia  P.  Ballard.     Illustrated.     8°.     $1.50. 

THE   SHRUBS  OF  NORTHEASTERN 
AMERICA 

By  Charles  S.  Newhall.     Fully  illustrated.  8°.  $1.75. 

THE  VINES   OF  NORTHEASTERN 
AMERICA 

By  Charles  S.  Newhall.     Fully  illustrated.   8°.  $1.75. 

THE  TREES  OF  NORTHEASTERN 
AMERICA 

By  Charles  S.  Newhall.  With  illustrations  made 
from    tracings   of    the    leaves   of    the   various    trees. 

8°.     $1.75. 


New  York      Q.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS         Loadon 


BOOKS  FOR  THE  COUNTRY 


WILD  FLOWERS  OF  THE  NORTHEASTERN 
STATES 

Drawn  and  carefully  described  from  life,  without  undue 
use  of  scientific  nomenclature,  by  Ellen  Miller  and 
Margaret  C.  Whiting.  With  308  illustrations  the 
size  of  life.  8°,  net,  $3.00. 
FIELD  BOOK  OF  AMERICAN  WILD  FLOWERS 
With  a  short  description  of  their  Character  and  Habits,  a 
Concise  Definition  of  their  Colors,  and  References  to 
the  Insects  which  Assist  in  their  Fertilization.  By 
F.  Schuyler  Mathews,  Member  of-  the  New  Eng- 
land Botanical  Club,  and  author  of  "Familiar 
Flowers  of  Field  and  Garden,"  "  Familiar  Trees  and 
their  Leaves,"  etc.  16°.  With  24  Colored  plates 
and  200  full-page  illustrations  in  the  text,  net,  $1.75. 
By  mail,  $1.85.      Full  leather,  net,  $2.25. 

NATURE  STUDIES  IN  BERKSHIRE 

By  John  Cole.man  Adams.  With  16  illustrations  in 
photogravure  from  original  photographs  by  Arthur 
Scott.     8°.     Gilt  top,  in  box,  $4.50. 

LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 

Notes  and  Suggestions  on  Lawns  and  Lawn-Planting,  Lay- 
ing out  and  Arrangement  of  Country  Places,  Large 
and  Small  Parks,  etc.  By  Samuel  Parsons,  Jr..  Ex- 
Superintendent  of  Parks,  New  York  City.  With 
nearly  200  illustrations.     New  edition.     8°  .     $2.00 

ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS 

For  Garden,  Lawn,  and  Park  Planting.  With  an  Account 
of  the  Origin,  Capabilities,  and  Adaptations  of  the 
Numerous  Species  and  Varieties,  Native  and  Foreign, 
and  Especially  of  the  New  and  Rare  Sorts  Suited  to 
Cultivation  in  the  United  States.  By  Lucius  D. 
Davis.     With  over  100  illustrations.     8°,  $3.50. 

FIELD  BOOK  OF  WILD   BIRDS  AND  THEIR 
MUSIC 

Being  a  Description  of  the  Songs  and  Coloring  of  Wild 
Birds,  Intended  to  Assist  in  the  Identification  of 
Species  Common  in  the  Eastern  United  States.  By 
F.  Schuyler  Mathews,  author  of  "  The  Field  Book 
of  American  Wild  Flowers,"  "Familiar  Trees  and 
their  Leaves,"  "  Familiar  Features  of  the  Roadside," 
etc.  16°.  With  53  full-page  illustrations  (of  which 
38  are  colored)  and  numerous  musical  diagrams. 
Cloth,  net,  $2.00.  Full  flexible  leather,  net,  $2.50. 
(Postage  15  cts.) 


New  York     Q.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS     London 


mm 


■"'^^^ 


ux>»' 


a^es 


